How many supers ?

[ROACHMAN]

Ive got 3 WBC and 2 National hives.

I have 4 WBC supers with frames and foundation and 4 National supers with f & f.

Can anyone advise me to the optimum number of supers needed for this years harvest ? (I know its like asking how long is a piece of string but im going to Maisemore on Sat and I dont want to have to go back again later in the year.

 

[Finman]

.
There is no optimum. Some hive needs one super and some need 5 or 7 super. Then you need ladders.

It depends on the ammount of bees.

 

[stilllearning]

whatever you do don't ask this question to eric at maisemore otherwise you'll end up with 20 supers a new suit and an extractor

 

[RoseCottage]

We tend not to leave many supers on our colonies rather we take them off (with consideration to their level of stores) that way we can use less and we avoid heavy towering hives,

All the best,
Sam

 

[ROACHMAN]

I was thinking about buying 2 WBC supers so I would have 2 supers for each hive. Any more and will have to start buying lifts as well

 

[plumberman]

Depends on how you want to extract: if you have your own extractor, then you can extract as you go along and therefore need fewer supers ( although this approach soon becomes a bind).

I've got about 4 supers per hive, but reasonably DIY savvy and can knock up supers fairly quickly should I need more.

All weather dependent though.....................

 

[VEG]

I would say at least 3 supers per hive.

 

[oliver90owner]

One colony has had three shallow supers and a 14 x 12 as a super. A super had been removed previously (and some brood frames had been 'borrowed' earlier, too). She was laying in two of the supers earlier on, but three were eventually just about filled with honey - the 14 x 12 was put on to achieve some good drawn comb as a first target, but they needed to be extracted as it was OSR in the frames. That particular colony has now been dissected and is in 6 nucs and the rest of the bees will be united with the original 'A/S'd' queen shortly, or used for another half dozen nucs, I am not sure which, yet!

So I would say you might be safe with four per hive.

Now, for some, 'this year's harvest' could be zilch.

With regards lifts, your colonies will likely need a double brood (or at least a brood and a half) or your crop may be limited by swarming activity rather than super space! That was why I discarded my WBC hives.

The better bet is seconds in the winter sales, but that would not help for this season. As you give no details of your present usage or colony history I would have no idea how many you might get away with this year. For instance, this year nuc starter colonies or productive stocks?

As RC says, some honey can be extracted throughout the season. I, for instance, have extracted as much of the OSR crop as I can, practically, and most now have the equivalent of a couple of supers on them. I don't expect too much from some, for the next few weeks, but they may need them later.

So, yes, the answer is a 'piece of string' really.

RAB

PS. Of course you could split any strong colonies and not need any extra supers per hive - just get extra broods and hive components!

 

[Poly Hive]

To work safely you need four sups per colony.

Three to extract and one to clear down to whilst you do the work.

PH

 

[drstitson]

agree - i'd aim to have 3 min per hive.

 

[fincaazul]

Ive got 3 WBC and 2 National hives.

I have 4 WBC supers with frames and foundation and 4 National supers with f & f.

Can anyone advise me to the optimum number of supers needed for this years harvest ? (I know its like asking how long is a piece of string but im going to Maisemore on Sat and I dont want to have to go back again later in the year.

Whilst on jury service a barrister asked the same question 'how long is a piece of string'. Quik response from Judge. ' too long to throw away but too short to be of any practical use '. So, buy more than you need, it is better than having too little

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Personally would go with 3 (and any lifts necessary, Maismores did have these on sale recently) - you've got some flexibility then if one were to need 4 and another 2.

You dont mention if the brood boxes on the WBC are 14x12, but if not then the shallows could also be used for brood expansion.

 

[oliver90owner]

I dont want to have to go back again later in the year.

Simple alternative would be mail order, would it not?

RAB

 

[ROACHMAN]

I want to avoid unecessary courier fees (or order more than £200 to qualify for free carriage)

 

[Poly Hive]

Sadly in this life what you want and plan for does not always match reality.

As you are discovering WBC's can be damn expensive to run. Supers = lifts which in turn = £££'s more than you want to spend.

I always teach an average of four supers per hive in use.

PH

 

[oliver90owner]

Sorry, I thought you meant what you said!

Quote: im going to Maisemore on Sat and I dont want to have to go back again later in the year.

At today's fuel prices, carriage is probably a saving. That from someone who has driven over 700 miles in the previous 3 days, just looking for a set of wheels!

RAB