UC Blogs

The Queen, The Workers, and The Drones

An unmarked queen bee isn't easy to spot. That was the consensus at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house when attendees tried...

UC Davis entomology graduate student Richard Martinez encourages attendees to find the queen in the bee observation hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis entomology graduate student Richard Martinez encourages attendees to find the queen in the bee observation hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A very focused youngster asks UC Davis graduate student Richard Martinez a question about honey bees at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A very focused youngster asks UC Davis graduate student Richard Martinez a question about honey bees at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis entomology graduate student explains how to identify the queen, male and the worker bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis entomology graduate student explains how to identify the queen, male and the worker bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Queen bee (center) with workers and a drone (top right). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Queen bee (center) with workers and a drone (top right). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A worker bee (left) and a drone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A worker bee (left) and a drone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Protea

Protea is a species of flowering plants from South Africa. It is a member of the Leucadendron family, also commonly known as the sugarbush. Interestingly enough, it belongs to an ancient angiosperm, which evidence from pollen fossils that date back to 80 million years ago. They generally flower in the spring and are pollinated by birds, insects, and wind. Some protea, such as the ‘King Protea', are self-pollinators, while some are considered self-incompatible relying on cross-pollination to set seed.

I have used a variety of protea in my floral design, the variety ‘Safari Sunset' which is super tough and has a brilliant burgundy color tone. When I need this color, it is often a go-to depending on the time of year. This past week, I made a fishing tribute to a very dear friend and fisherman using this flower. I love its unique characteristics and interesting varieties. I have used ‘King Protea' and ‘Pink Mink' as bridesmaids, as well as, in bridal bouquets. It is especially cool when people are open to new varieties, and this flower can stand out as a focal in any arrangement.

My fabulous co-worker Jess shared her Leucadendron from her garden for my fishing tribute.

Thank you Jess!

protea

Livestock Pass Fire Safety Meeting

Do you have livestock in San Benito County? If so, you'll want to attend the livestock pass fire training which will be hosted by the Ag...

UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock: Mentor Extraordinaire

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are alumni of the laboratory of UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock--they all...

UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock is a 2024 recipient of a Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentoring Award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock is a 2024 recipient of a Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentoring Award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bruce Hammock, shown in front of a blackboard in his office, "is undeniably a giant in the field of science. However, what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to student mentoring, his devoted care for group members, and his exemplary role as a model for training the next generation of scientists,” says Hammock lab alumnus Guodong Zhang, now an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bruce Hammock, shown in front of a blackboard in his office, "is undeniably a giant in the field of science. However, what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to student mentoring, his devoted care for group members, and his exemplary role as a model for training the next generation of scientists,” says Hammock lab alumnus Guodong Zhang, now an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Broken Pot Fairy Garden

Having seen many pretty pictures of succulent fairy gardens online, I finally decided to attempt one myself. Armed with a hammer, chisel and old towel, I was ready to start on some Dollar Store Terracotta pots.  The klutz in me had said to definitely buy more than one pot.  Good thing, because the first two tries were total fiascoes. They broke in all the wrong places…

But woohoo, the third time was lucky!  I filled my broken pot with a mix of garden soil and pumice. Carefully arranged the pieces (good selection of pieces from the first two pots) and added more soil, rocks and pebbles until it looked just right.  On the right edge going up, there are little rectangular pot shards arranged into a staircase.  The colorful rocks are jasper, quartz, and chert from my collection of beach finds. 

Lastly, succulent cuttings were carefully placed.  Green moss tucked in here and there.  And if you look very closely, you'll see the tiny fairy house I made in the top left side of the pot. 

So there it is - my broken pot fairy garden. Cheers!

Read more