Few pics from the season so far

[jeff33]

As in the title really. From this winter when I started setting up the apiary and moving hives to yesterday.

The last pic is on dble 14x12 headed by a 2018 F1 carnolian purchased from a forum's member. It has filled up 4 supers since the main flow started around the last week of June. The other hive is also a F2 carnie on dble brood and 3 full supers.

https://myalbum.com/album/bzVSgTCUicM9

 

[B+.]

From this winter when I started setting up the apiary and moving hives to yesterday.

It looks like "dairy country". Is it all clover?

 

[jeff33]

Clover but also a lot of blackberry bushes and honeysuckle in hedgerows.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The last pic is on dble 14x12 headed by a 2018 F1 carnolian purchased from a forum's member. It has filled up 4 supers since the main flow started around the last week of June

Nectar flow a bit slow around with you is it?

 

[jeff33]

It all came at once with this weather but it just started to slow down this week with some queens slowing down laying.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Started slowing down here which is just as well, getting a bit of a struggle shifting them supers now - maybe I should try one of them carneekie things - just to cool them down a bit

 

[Beefriendly]

Time you got some decent Buckfast bees....
What are your brood boxes doing in the middle of your stacks?

 

[B+.]

We've seen how it is possible to artificially enhance yield so it is not possible to establish which is better from photographs.
The point should be whether each of you is happy with the performance of your bees in your area...and how the other traits measure up.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What are your brood boxes doing in the middle of your stacks?

They're not brood boxes, they're supers whiich started off as Demarrees

We've seen how it is possible to artificially enhance yield

Nothing enhanced, I just chucked the boxes on, bees did the rest, haven't had the time or the health to much else this year.
Bitter cynicism doesn't suit you, but was expected you would wade in first chance you got.

 

[Beefriendly]

They're not brood boxes, they're supers whiich started off as Demarrees

That's the major problem I find with Demarees....your brood boxes become supers. Not always a bad problem to have.

 

[jeff33]

Unless you are desperate for brood boxes or frames!! I tend to put a few foundation frames in mine to draw.

JB, are you using a crane for the top ones? I also took 2 supers of it at the start of June to extract as I didn't want to mix the spring honey which is a set one. Still, yours are doing very well.

 

[B+.]

Nothing enhanced, I just chucked the boxes on, bees did the rest, haven't had the time or the health to much else this year.
Bitter cynicism doesn't suit you, but was expected you would wade in first chance you got.

You thought I was talking to you?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

That's the major problem I find with Demarees....your brood boxes become supers. Not always a bad problem to have.

with a bit of forward planning (and a dash of luck) as well as getting rid of the old past their best brood frames, you end up with a stock of fresh drawn brood frames for the next season

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

JB, are you using a crane for the top ones?

Bit of a struggle, I use a hop up or an upturned roof to stand on for the top ones. That particular hive was even more of a PITA as the ground drops away behind it and slightly to the side. I class it as part of my self regulated physio routine for my shot back, in all honesty its done wonders for core strength and muscle buildup.

 

[Beefriendly]

(and a dash of luck)

That's the bit that always worries me....

What I would dearly like to find is a reliable solution to getting pollen removed from drawn frames.
Currently trying bagged and warm in airing cupboard and hoping we have pollen mites, trying AKA Erika storing some in shed instead of usual outside where they just go mould.

 

[eltalia]

That's the major problem I find with Demarees....your brood boxes become supers. Not always a bad problem to have.

It is here.
Long been held(.au) no brood combs are used as storage for extraction and so sales.

Bill

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

But we are not there and neither are you (all there anyway)

 

[Erichalfbee]

with a bit of forward planning (and a dash of luck) as well as getting rid of the old past their best brood frames, you end up with a stock of fresh drawn brood frames for the next season

Yes
I tried two last year and got two full boxes of newly drawn brood comb.

 

[citrus]

Started slowing down here which is just as well, getting a bit of a struggle shifting them supers now - maybe I should try one of them carneekie things - just to cool them down a bit

remember you mentioned about a junk box on top so thought the top brood box was acting as that

(welcome back btw)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

remember you mentioned about a junk box on top so thought the top brood box was acting as that

(welcome back btw)

Thanks. Dump boxes are always handy - got a hive at the home apiary (this year's queen so only two supers) which now has a brood on top to receive deep frames full of honey taken from young nucs to allow them room and reusable frames with some brood from Laying worker nucs which have been shaken out.