TODAY, MONDAY 10/02/2025, THE MELISSA PROJECT AND THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDS FOR BEES RESUME .
THE DEDICATED WEBSITE ALSO REOPENS
WWW.PROGETTOMELISSA.ORG
WHERE YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS
BELOW IS THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT
MELISSA PROJECT FOR THE FREE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GREATER WIDOW SEEDS
(CEPHALARIA TRANSSYLVANICA)
THE PLANT THAT SAVES BEES
THE BEGINNINGS OF THE MELISSA PROJECT
The Melissa project by Cercatori di Semi was born in 2015 with the aim of producing and distributing free seeds of Greater Widow ( Cephalaria Transsylvanica ), the bee-saving plant, both pure and in a mixture with other spontaneous flowers, with the aim of offering help to the increasingly threatened bee populations.
Thanks to its late flowering, this plant provides bees with support before their winter hive, strengthening the colony. The project consisted of an initial cultivation on our farm to produce seeds for free distribution, along with instructions for self-producing them again.
Unfortunately, inexperience and adverse factors beyond our control led to an initial failure in growing the Greater Widow . On the other hand, hundreds of people, including beekeepers, urban growers, and agricultural professionals, expressed their willingness to participate in the project, offering us new inspiration and advice. We therefore decided to try again, learning from our mistakes.
WHY THE MELISSA SEED FINDERS PROJECT
2016 was a disastrous year for honey production in Italy, with a 70% drop in production compared to five years ago. This was raised by CONAPI, the national beekeeping consortium comprising 600 beekeepers and 75,000 hives throughout Italy. The decline in pollinating insect populations, particularly the bee—a small atlas of the plant world—appears to be attributable to multiple causes, from epidemiological factors to the degradation and fragmentation of their habitats, to the harmful effects of pesticides used in intensive agriculture (Decourtye et al., 2010).
Among the threats affecting bees is Colony Collapse Syndrome (CCD), a phenomenon that occurs when most of a colony's worker bees suddenly disappear and abandon the queen, leaving behind a large amount of food and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen, resulting in the destruction of the hive. Numerous cases of acute pesticide poisoning are also responsible for the decline of this species, a vital vehicle for biodiversity. How can we help bees?
Recent research from the University of Pisa comes to our aid. It has demonstrated how pollinator communities can be strengthened by the presence of spontaneous borders and polyphyte hedges, particularly in agroecosystems.
GOAL OF THE MELISSA PROJECT
The Melissa Project aims to cultivate and produce seeds of Greater Widowwort (Cephalaria Transylvanica), which will then be distributed free of charge, both in pure form for cultivation near apiaries and mixed with other spontaneous honey plants, to create oases in urban gardens as well as in crops where spontaneous borders do not exist.
By sharing our experience with growers, we aim to create an ever-expanding network of self-producers and distributors of these seeds, and, as you'll see below, this is much more than a dream.
Average honey production 2012 - 2016 (source: Conapi)
THE GREATER WIDOW (C. TRANSSYLVANICA) THE PLANT THAT SAVES BEE.
"The possibility of growing Greater Widowwort in strips near apiaries, or at the edges of cultivated fields or vegetable gardens, represents an excellent strategy for providing pollen and nectar to bees and other wild pollinators during the rarefaction of spontaneous flowering that characterizes early autumn. This strategy helps "strengthen" bee colonies, for an easier overcoming of the winter season and a rapid, consequent, resumption of spring activity." Read the article ...
Growing the Greater Widow's Bee means providing concrete support to bee colonies. For beekeepers, growing C. Transylvanica offers only advantages: it flowers from late summer until October, thus after the last honey harvest, and does not affect the organoleptic qualities. It strengthens the colony and reduces winter mortality. We therefore recommend that rural farmers and beekeepers request pure C. Transylvanica seeds, not mixed with honey bees, to grow it in the immediate vicinity of the hives' winter locations.
WILD STRIPS: A GREAT ADVANTAGE FOR YOUR PRODUCTION
Wild strips are strips sown with spontaneous flowers, placed between vegetable gardens or as borders. With the Melissa Project, we distribute a mixture of honey bees and common widowwort to create these oases. The species selected in this mixture provide pollinators with a constant supply of nutrients, useful both in urban gardens where nutrients are scarce and in rural gardens where the greater presence of pollinators increases the productivity of all entomogamous species, i.e., those pollinated by insects. This results in greater production and ecosystem balance. Your garden will therefore have a dedicated row to attracting and nourishing pollinators, with significant benefits, including higher yields and an aesthetic appeal. The selected species include many nitrogen-fixing compounds, thus also contributing to soil nutrition.
The staggered flowering will bring a continuous and prolonged supply until late summer and early autumn.
The honey mixture species: Clover, Melilotus alfalfa, sainfoin, mustard, phacelia, flax, buckwheat, and common widow (min 15%). The amount distributed will be 3 g/m2 (30 kg ha).
HOW WE PRODUCE GREATER WIDOW SEEDS
The Greater Widow is found throughout Italy. It can be planted directly from March into the prepared soil. Mix the seeds received with finely sifted soil and then scatter them over the prepared soil.
Greater Widow does not have any particular irrigation, fertilization or soil cultivation requirements and is particularly competitive with weeds.
It appreciates mowing; in July, it's helpful to cut the tops of the plants to about a meter high. In the mix we provide, it's the tallest plant to avoid mistakes during this operation.
SOWING AND CULTIVATION OF WIDOW'S WATER AND HONEYBEAN MIXTURE
Since this year, Cercatori di Semi has rented a plot of land just outside Rome. This land had been given to us free of charge in previous years, but with many restrictions that no longer exist.
We will therefore dedicate an area entirely to the Greater Widow's Widow on this approximately 15-hectare estate. Due to the enormous demand we have received, the remaining seeds in our seed bank are insufficient, so we must purchase new ones from a supplier. Despite being a widespread wild plant throughout Italy, seeds are expensive because they have no productive value and are therefore rare.
We plan to make an initial purchase with the funds raised and then expand. We believe that such an important species should be as widely distributed as possible, and price is always a deterrent.
We have agricultural machinery and all the tools needed to till the soil, allowing us, funds permitting, to cultivate an area ranging from half a hectare to one hectare (10,000 m2) entirely dedicated to . Much depends on the availability of the initial seed purchase.
To overcome this problem, starting in September 2017 we will organize teams to collect Greater Widow's Widow seeds in the wild, in order to reduce production costs and provide an adequate genetic replacement.
We don't know the exact seed production, but based on previous experience on small plots, it will be sufficient to launch the first large-scale national distribution. Using only sustainable and natural methods, Seed Seekers will proceed by treating the soil with the false sowing method, followed by pre-sowing pyro-weeding. The plot has been previously fertilized with organic compost, and sowing will be done manually. The plant requires no further weeding.
Flowering period of the Widow
Altitude distribution of the Vedovina
Widow's Field
SEED COLLECTION AND PREPARATION
Depending on the latitude, between September and October it will produce purple inflorescences which will be followed by fruits composed of a
(a sort of capsule) of about 5-6 mm, with the shape of a cup that will contain the seeds, when these have reached a dark brown shade it will be time to harvest.
Open the cocoons and separate them from the seeds, carefully sifting them until they are free of plant matter. Let the seeds dry for about 15 days away from direct sunlight in a well-ventilated area, possibly protected with a very fine mesh net. You can then place them in a bag for storage.
If you plan to save some of it for your own seed bank or as a supply for future years, you will need to go through a few more steps.
Once the seeds have dried, you need to get enough silica gel (available online or at a pharmacy) to dry them. Place it in an airtight jar with the seeds, which are then stored in a bag. Change the silica gel every time it changes color, reheating it if necessary using a low-heat oven (fan assisted). Repeat this process until the color stops changing.
At this point, the seeds are dehydrated. You can close the jar, making sure it retains its airtight seal, and store it in the refrigerator at 5°C. This way, the seeds maintain a high germination rate for approximately five years.
Cephalaria Trannsylvanica flower
Cipsela of Cephalaria Trannsylvanica
Seeds of Cephalaria Trannsylvanica
HOW TO GET FREE SEEDS
Seeds will be available to anyone who requests them, in two ways. They can be mixed with other honey bee species (15% Greater Widow's Wrasse) to create wild strips in cultivation areas, or pure seeds for beekeepers or anyone wishing to produce a larger quantity of seeds.
To request them, you must complete the Melissa project membership form at the following link: MEMBERSHIP FORM, making sure to fill it out completely. The information will be used to provide you with the right amount of seeds and the right growing advice.
For any questions or requests, please write to progettomelissa@cercatoridisemi.com .
The seeds are and will only be subject to shipping costs, calculated based on the weight of the seeds in relation to the size of the land to be cultivated for which you have made the request, according to the Italian Post Office rates.
We will remain available for any need and will provide you with support at every stage.
HOW TO HELP AND SUPPORT US
We do not ask for funding from municipalities or any other body so as not to incur political involvement or unclear situations, but there are expenses and they are many, and to succeed we must reach a minimum budget.
You can help us by participating in the crowdfunding campaign at the following address: https://buonacausa.org/cause/salviamoleapi or by donating via Paypal using the buttons on this page and the website. Donations are tax deductible.
The estimated target amount is €12,000 (twelve thousand) , depending on the number of applications received. This amount will cover all out-of-pocket expenses, from land rental to processing costs such as purchasing seeds for the mixture, subcontracting work, and project outreach.
Seeds will also be distributed in disaster-stricken areas by going directly to the site.
Cercatori di Semi is a non-profit cultural association. All donations will go towards the project. The estimated costs are detailed on the last page of this document.
CONCLUSIONS
Aware of the great responsibility and commitment we have undertaken, we hope to count you among our supporters in this shared battle not only for bees but for the future of biodiversity. With your help, this project can do much to change what appears to be a dramatic situation.
USEFUL LINKS
To participate, fill out the online form: REGISTRATION FORM
If you have any doubts or questions, contact us: progettomelissa@cercatoridisemi.com
Download the PDF brochure: MELISSA PROJECT PDF
ESTIMATED COST STATEMENT FOR THE MELISSA PROJECT
Land Rent…………… ...
The land rent for the 15 hectares is 1,200 euros per year, as the Melissa project is primary for Seed Seekers it will be financed entirely by this
Land preparation (vehicles, fuel, operator)……....................................€1,000.00 one-off fee
Agricultural vehicles require a specific license and insurance. The tractor is our property, but we must take into account wear and tear, fuel costs, and the cost of a professional operator.
Purchase of honey seeds…………………………………………….....................................………………€2,500.00
The honey bee mixture must be purchased as it cannot be reproduced by us. The cost was calculated based on 300 requests with an average of 30 m2 each, i.e. three areas of 10 m2 to be spaced out in the cultivation soil.
Purchase of C. Transylvanica seeds for reproduction………….................................…...….……€1,000.00
The purchase from Spain of approximately 30 kg of greater widow's wilt seeds, sufficient for one hectare of cultivation.
Management costs…………………………………………………………………...............................….…….€1,000.00
Compensation for non-volunteers who will oversee the project, for managing and preparing text and web content.
Utilities/cultivation system costs…………….….…………….…................................……€800.00
Electricity pipes and everything else needed to set up the cultivation
Bureaucratic expenses…………………………………………………………………...............................………..€300.00
Annual expenses for permits and licenses
Research and seed collection costs for C. Transylvanica…………….....…..................................…........€1,500.00
Research and collection of wild Greater Widow plants for genetic integration and future distribution, including accommodation and transportation costs.
Third party work expenses………………………..……….……................................………….…to be defined
Advertising and promotion……………………………………….................................……….……€1,500.00
Various unforeseen events…………………………………………………………...............................……...….€1,000.00
Estimated total………………………………..……………….................................……………...…..€11,800.00
This sum, negligible compared to the project's environmental impact, will allow us to fulfill all requests received to date and establish a future distribution chain. All expenses will be published on our website at www.cercatoridisemi.com/progettomelissa. Share the project on your favorite social media—it's important.