cpurola said:

Since this thread is call buds and bugs thought I'd post my latest GOOD bug find. Predatory stink bug.
Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug)

Michigan insects in the garden - Season 2 Week 5: Predatory stink bugs

They may not smell good, but they have good taste.

www.canr.msu.edu

This is the immature stage.
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PlumberSoCal2 said:

My new friend
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She wasn't sure if I were safe or not at first but talking to her calmed her and she allowed me to take as many pictures as I want. She's on a cucumber leaf. Love praying mantis.

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Poekie said:

Nice, the mantis whisperer!

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PlumberSoCal2 said:

I always talk to them this one is very small. Must have hatched within the past couple days.
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They get use to me and I get pictures like this one.

And my favorite
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Poekie said:

Absolutely.
Same with the bees above, they first check me out for a while, then when they see i'm no threat they go back doing their thing.

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BearWater said:

You may be sweet like honey but you are not pollen or water

Something I just learned and saw a video of… not sure if it’s true or how accurate but the bee was trying to self remove stinger by making circles while her stinger was in someone! It was successful in its attempt and flew away without ripping her self apart! Very neat : )

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PlumberSoCal2 said:

What type of bee? I talk to all of these as well
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I've fed them mealworms by hand. There are videos of that somewhere on this site. Of all the smaller insects there's something about the intelligence of the mantis over all the rest

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BearWater said:

It looked to be Apis mellifera (European honey bee).

Thats pretty cool! I’ve watched a couple snake videos of handlers with their “hots”! No thank you : ) I’m sure the snake might recognize the handler but they just don’t have the capacity to turn off their millions of years worth of survival instincts for me to want to trust them like that. Little lizards, sure lol.

Pretty sure Mantis’ are alien species taking notes on our dumbasses down here! not looking like the report will be in our favor

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Poekie said:

And apart from being beautiful, I just read the bark and flowers have been used for hundreds of years to cure injuries and as a sedative for anxiety and insomnia.
I'm curious, will try a cup of tea later on.

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Organic13 said:

I make tincture with the flowers and bark. It is known as the happy tree in China or full happiness and is consumed regularly. I don't have many where I am. When I travel south to see family, I forage for it. I've always loved the tree. The flowers smell like Fruit Stripe gum to me (if you're old enough to remember that gum).

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Organic13 said:

Those blooms are beautiful. Do you ever see bats or moths pollinating your dragon fruit?

Yes. I don't do a ton of measuring either, when making tinctures. Some overcomplicate it, imo. I always use 100 proof alcohol. With it being 50% water, that takes care of any properties that need to be extracted with water. It doesn't need to be top shelf vodka either. I fill my jar ¾ of the way full with plant material (I typically use dried material, except with mimosa, mullein, or fungi). With the mimosa, I've used flower only and with stem bark. I prefer the tincture with stem bark (bark is where the pain relief is, flower is the anti anxiety). Try flower only first, if you prefer, to see which will help you best. If you use stem bark too, put in jar last, on top of flowers, to weigh them down. I fill all the way to the top of the jar rim to avoid oxidation.

Be mindful of any pharmaceuticals you may take for anti anxiety or pain. This could interact, but I've never heard or read of there being any issues other than for pregnant or nursing women. In general, be mindful for how it makes you feel.

This is native to Iran as well. They use the root for insomnia.

Enjoy.

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Organic13 said:

Those blooms are beautiful. Do you ever see bats or moths pollinating your dragon fruit?

Yes. I don't do a ton of measuring either, when making tinctures. Some overcomplicate it, imo. I always use 100 proof alcohol. With it being 50% water, that takes care of any properties that need to be extracted with water. It doesn't need to be top shelf vodka either. I fill my jar ¾ of the way full with plant material (I typically use dried material, except with mimosa, mullein, or fungi). With the mimosa, I've used flower only and with stem bark. I prefer the tincture with stem bark (bark is where the pain relief is, flower is the anti anxiety). Try flower only first, if you prefer, to see which will help you best. If you use stem bark too, put in jar last, on top of flowers, to weigh them down. I fill all the way to the top of the jar rim to avoid oxidation.

Be mindful of any pharmaceuticals you may take for anti anxiety or pain. This could interact, but I've never heard or read of there being any issues other than for pregnant or nursing women. In general, be mindful for how it makes you feel.

This is native to Iran as well. They use the root for insomnia.

Enjoy.

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Poekie said:

What an amazing tree that is

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