Hello From Portugal

[user 20817]

Hello all.

I am a recent beekeeper from Portugal.

Start with 12 hives I bought from a cousin.

So much to learn, but I am loving it.

Cheers.

J. Alves

 

[Erichalfbee]

Welcome.

 

[enrico]

Starting with twelve hives......wow.....good luck and welcome. What type of hives as they?

 

[Bluebell1985]

Starting with twelve hives......wow.....good luck and welcome. What type of hives as they?

I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking my two I'm starting with would keep my learning hands full.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Murox]

Hello and ; your'e around 2054 kms south.
You have a big project with so much to learn. Hope everything turns out okay. Wish you all the best.

 

[Katherine]

12...my head is spinning. They'll keep you busy. Love to follow your progress.

 

[user 20817]

Thanks for your warm welcome.

I will try to answer some of the questions.

The hives types mainly used in PT are "Lusitana" developed by a priest and more adapted to PT environment and local bees.

Then the hive evolved to "Reversível" which means that we can use the frames aligned with the bees entrance or put the frame perpendicular to the entrance, if we which that.

This hive pack has Reversível (9) and Langstroth (3) hives.

The bees are iberian black bee (two hives) and the rest Buckfast

 

[bobba]

welcome from the UK.

If you are starring with 12, how many do you hope to one day own?

 

[user 20817]

Thanks.

Well, right now all I want is to learn and practice.

In the nearby future, I intend to increase the number of hives (it depends of the "day" job), being the magical number 400 hives.

 

[Katherine]

Thanks.

Well, right now all I want is to learn and practice.

In the nearby future, I intend to increase the number of hives (it depends of the "day" job), being the magical number 400 hives.

That's quite some project. Looking forward to progress reports and photos.

 

[BBC]

WOW
That will be some learning curve senhor Alves.
Where are you in Portugal.

 

[user 20817]

I have the hives in southern Portugal, Algarve.

Here are two of the three apiaries:



The other hives are still in the previous owner apiary .

 

[E&MBees]

I have the hives in southern Portugal, Algarve.

Here are two of the three apiaries:
View attachment 28820
View attachment 28821

The other hives are still in the previous owner apiary .

It looks very hot and dry compared to here, which is damp and chilly today. What do your bees forage on?

 

[user 20817]

From July/August till now, I have to feed them, because as you notice, the land is too dry.

But early October, rain fell for a day or two and was enough to some local species produce some flowers.

The bees are foraging pollen and some nectar.

The land in the pics look too dry because the land is ploughed in order to protect the Trees from the wildfires.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Welcome also from me.
12 colonys as a starting point is going to keep you busy you will learn quickly over the next few seasons I take my hat of to you good luck.

 

[E&MBees]

From July/August till now, I have to feed them, because as you notice, the land is too dry.

But early October, rain fell for a day or two and was enough to some local species produce some flowers.

The bees are foraging pollen and some nectar.

The land in the pics look too dry because the land is ploughed in order to protect the Trees from the wildfires.

Thanks and welcome

 

[BBC]

I have the hives in southern Portugal, Algarve.

Here are two of the three apiaries:
View attachment 28820
View attachment 28821

The other hives are still in the previous owner apiary .

We’ll all the very best to you sir. I look forward to your posts and progress.