@Gleni : Ah so they are just capitalizing on the new intrest... thats to bad. But that is great about the church being proud of their hive! Wonderful to see!
@crittergarden : Heh, yes lots of questions! Not sure I have all the answers. Labor day would likely be longer than nessisary. I've seen my guys flying around today but some are out as early as May so they start laying eggs as soon as their out. I would have fresh bundles out and ready as soon as things start growing, late April to be safe (in my area) and they will start laying eggs as soon as they are out in the area. My bundles seemed to see the most action in June then seemed to stop in July...but each species of bee is slightly different. Also I want to cover mine with hardware cloth a few inches out from the bundle because the woodpeckers also love to eat the bee larva...if they can get at them. But no certienly not to late this year, likely right in the peek of action right now.
Any plant with a hollow or soft pithed center to the stem will work for the bees. Use whatever you have available and I don't think the bees will mind. Just try to get one end with a closing (like at a leaf joint for most plants). Elderberries, some sunflowers think, teasel....lots of things work. So ya the hostas should work. If they don't have a natural closure on one side just fold them and tie it off to create one closed side. I don't think they will use it if is open both sides...or they may and dam it off themselves (I've not experimented). So ya...not sure what the BEST is (or even if there is a best).
