Bee bread seeds - borage - Hamham

Common name: Borage Scientific name: Borage officinalis Other names: Abu Al-‘Irq - Lisan Al-Thawr - Al-Hamham - Al-Qas’ain The naming of this plant as "Borage" comes from its richness in pollen dust and nectar, which bees use to feed the larvae of males and workers. In beekeeping, the term "brood food" refers to the nourishment of the hive, consisting of honey and pollen dust, hence it is called "bee bread." It is a seasonal plant with a hollow, succulent stem that reaches about one meter in length. Its leaves are oval-shaped, over 10 cm long, covered with dense hairs or fuzz that cause itching when touched. Bee bread flower: small, not exceeding 2 cm in diameter, star-shaped, located at the tips of branches with three petals in bright blue or purple colors, blooming in spring. Date palm seed: seeds are inside fruits that are green during early growth, turning dark brown when dried. They have a hard, rough shell and retain viability for up to five years. Germination season: bee bread seeds are planted in September and October, and can also be cultivated year-round in protected agricultural environments, enclosed or plastic areas where temperature can be controlled, and where they receive sunlight or adequate lighting. Suitable climate and soil for growing bee bread: It is a winter wild plant capable of tolerating low temperatures and moderate climates but does not withstand high temperatures. It can be cultivated in light clay soils, fertile yellow lands, or newly reclaimed land. It is frost-resistant and requires regular watering. How to cultivate bee bread: It reproduces through seeds planted at a depth of no more than 1 cm from the soil surface after soaking in water for at least 24 hours. It can also be fertilized with organic manure at least once during flowering to accelerate growth and development. Its benefits and uses: It is cultivated to feed bees, planted near apiaries in England, France, the Levant, and recently in Egypt, due to its and its honey's medicinal uses and benefits. Original habitat: Its native region is the Alps and the Levant, and it is cultivated in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and many Arab countries.