Sometimes, an olive honey flow is reported by beekeepers, but Silvestri et al. The pollination requirements of different cultivars of olives vary considerably. Bradley et al. They also stated that both in Portugal and in California satisfactory crops are obtained when some cultivars are planted in solid blocks although highest and most consistent yields are obtained in orchards where two cultivars are interplanted. This, they said, reaffirmed former studies at Davis and Winters, Calif., that cross-pollination of some varieties will increase fruit set in some years.
Wind is considered the primary agent in the transfer of olive pollen.
Honey bees visit the trees for pollen, and the general knowledge of bee activity on other plants would indicate that if they moved freely from plant to plant they would effectively transfer some pollen between varieties. Honey bees do not collect olive pollen as avidly as they do that of other plants. To create heavy olive flower visitation, might require a relatively heavy concentration of honey bee colonies in or near the grove. There is no information on the concentration that might be desired. Studies in this area would be productive.