OSR in bloom

[Gilberdyke John]

Driving over to Selby this morning. As I approached the town bypass from Camblesforth I noticed an ocean of bright yellow a couple of fields away. A reminder of what's to come? I haven't noticed a significant amount in my locality yet but spring will soon be sprung.

 

[enrico]

Driving over to Selby this morning. As I approached the town bypass from Camblesforth I noticed an ocean of bright yellow a couple of fields away. A reminder of what's to come? I haven't noticed a significant amount in my locality yet but spring will soon be sprung.

Fully open everywhere down here

 

[Dodge]

Starting to flower on Warwickshire & Worcestershire

 

[Mint Bee]

too cold to get a decent flow on at the moment

 

[Erichalfbee]

too cold to get a decent flow on at the moment

At what temperature does it yield?

 

[jarmo henttu]

At what temperature does it yield?

Bees need over 20C that they can forage in rape.

 

[SWEET]

Bees need over 20C that they can forage in rape.

I've loads of hives all over OSR currently, 12-15 over the past days - no issues (hammering it today).

 

[Mint Bee]

It will yield some nectar at low temperatures, but needs over 15C to start a half decent flow - its not an off/on thing Plenty of pollen coming in, but limited nectar from mine next to OSR when I checked at the weekend. Supered hives had some in, but not a great deal Anything over 20C and need at least a super a week for maturing the honey, in my experience. Been a lot of chat about different varieties of OSR being introduced so that could explain difference

 

[jarmo henttu]

I've loads of hives all over OSR currently, 12-15 over the past days - no issues (hammering it today).

I have folloved bees' flying, when highest temp is 12C. It took time to warm jp the day and 18C was reached at 12 a'clock. Then at time 15 the temp dropped down and bees stoppode flying.
You should note too, that wind cools down flying on open field.

 

[SWEET]

Bees on the OSR today - (10-12 and windy/showers)

 

[jarmo henttu]

I've loads of hives all over OSR currently, 12-15 over the past days - no issues (hammering it today).

I had 5 weeks a balance hive on Autumn rape field.
4 weeks 18C 15 kg honey = one week in 23C weather.

 

[jarmo henttu]

I had 5 weeks a balance hive on Autumn rape field.
4 weeks 18C 15 kg honey = one week in 23C weather.

I know that bees forage honey in December in Britain in small dizzy rain. Actually they forage drinking water to larvae but to beekeeper its is honey yield.

 

[BeeAdmin]

@SWEET Thank you for the video and the photo of the pollen covered bee.

 

[SWEET]

@SWEET Thank you for the video and the photo of the pollen covered bee.

Pleasure.

 

[JamezF]

I know that bees forage honey in December in Britain in small dizzy rain. Actually they forage drinking water to larvae but to beekeeper its is honey yield.

No need to forage for water this Winter. Just stick their heads out of the entrance

James

 

[SWEET]

My local Mud | Wind | Rain | Cold proof bees ho ho

 

[jarmo henttu]

My local Mud | Wind | Rain | Cold proof bees ho ho View attachment 39451

Your broodhive does not have enough space to store pollen.

 

[SWEET]

Your broodhive does not have enough space to store pollen.

Around 9 empty frames - I generally don't use these little frames in supers either (just had a few to hand but phasing them out this year).

 

[jarmo henttu]

Around 9 empty frames - I generally don't use these little frames in supers either (just had a few to hand but phasing them out this year).

OK. The colony is perhaps so small.

 

[SWEET]

OK. The colony is perhaps so small.

Morning and thanks for the reply; if this was case they would not be filling those super frames so quickly. The colony had around 8+ capped brood so i've added a Demaree board before they decide to swarm and to use as a resource for young bees (for mating nucs/timed with drone rearing for other stuff down the line). The super had been added a few days after (as early/muddy and moving gear around sites), so to sum - they have plenty of space, plenty of bees and dragging lots if OSR nectar in (and it's cold/windy). I'll keep rolling those frames over the next few months and using the young bees for various tasks - one of many setup like that cheers.

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