Osr

[Compostcritter]

Am I the only person on this forum that wants to keep my bees away from OSR, as it can clag up supers If not emptied quickly enough and in my opinion the honey is not particularly tasty and sets far to quickly. Would rather have less honey but more quality of flavours. Bring on more blossom!
Would love to hear your opinions....

 

[Rosti]

You are right about the threat to your supers, that can be managed but as for flavour? It is different rather than worse and (certainly here) slightly more intense than mixed blossom. A thick honey for toast is about personal preference. I sell from the door; I usually take a predominantly 'OSR' harvest mid-May then a main crop late-August. There is a significant number of people who ask for a repeat purchase of my early 'crystal' honey rather than buy mixed blossom. Never not shifted the lot.

Never had a problem with clogged up supers but you do need to be prompt and efficient at extracting and it is also worth harvesting based on refrac reading rather than whether it is all capped.

For many, having bees bring in OSR is a fact not a choice, if it's there the bees will work it. Probably better to embrace it, use it as a build up mechanism, ensure the bees have sufficient living quarters and take an early crop. The alternative is clogged up supers and/or potentially over populated, congested hives and an early wecome to the swarm season!

You pays your money etc ...

 

[Cazza]

For many, having bees bring in OSR is a fact not a choice, if it's there the bees will work it. Probably better to embrace it, use it as a build up mechanism, ensure the bees have sufficient living quarters and take an early crop. The alternative is clogged up supers and/or potentially over populated, congested hives and an early wecome to the swarm season!

You pays your money etc ...

That sums OSR up very well. It cannot be avoided where I live and nor would I wish to.
Cazza

 

[Arfermo]

Am I the only person on this forum that wants to keep my bees away from OSR, as it can clag up supers If not emptied quickly enough and in my opinion the honey is not particularly tasty and sets far to quickly. Would rather have less honey but more quality of flavours. Bring on more blossom!
Would love to hear your opinions....

Try stopping them working it and tell us your secret when you are able to determene what bees do.