No more cheap fondant

[Dave /Oscroft]

Fondant

My bees seem to have had a problem with fondant last winter, they took it down into the brood box but some of the colonies died out and there was still plenty of fondant in the hive. This happened to approx. 5 colonies.
So this year I was wondering about using an alternative to fondant. Ive 15 colonies of various sizes at the moment.

Dave

 

[Into the lions den]

My bees seem to have had a problem with fondant last winter, they took it down into the brood box but some of the colonies died out and there was still plenty of fondant in the hive. This happened to approx. 5 colonies.
So this year I was wondering about using an alternative to fondant. Ive 15 colonies of various sizes at the moment.

Dave

I suspect you are taking aim at the wrong target. Have NEVER seen a colony die because of fondant. Something else made them die and the fondant was just left unconsumed.

and back to the question about expensive fondants with additives being worth it for winter feeding? No.

As for fondant supplies and prices? Well I think the current rate we paid earlier in spring was around £730 per tonne from Flemings, delivered in Scotland. As its almost all made in only two factories in Belgium delivery cost increases the further it travels (to some extent anyway).
There are minimum orders for delivery and points at which there are price breaks................cannot envisage paying 16 or 18 pounds a box when you could do an association purchase for not much over half that.

 

[Dadnlad]

Does no-one have local bakers anymore ? Saves on delivery shirley ?

 

[Somerford]

Agreed. Only downside to fondant is it can set rock hard if exposed to cold weather - pollen parties seem to remain friable

Only feed pure sugar in the autumn/winter

Might be worth contacting Peter and Marion Guthrie who deal with Belgosuc and supply FondabeeFruc a certified fondant paste on 01874754412 min orders apply though

 

[tidymeup]

I have around 1 tonne left and plan on buying more later this year. drop me a message if you anywhere near macclesfield. I also have syrup for winter feeding to.