Spring expansion & crystalised ivy honey leftovers

[RichardK]

Things are starting to get going here & I'm on 4 frames of brood & a 5th starting. I swapped out a couple of frames full of ivy honey today to make room for more brood and was stunned at how hard it is - it's all crystalised. What can I do with these frames now? Store them safely until a given hives needs them?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes just store them somewhere safe. The bees will take them if you uncap and quickly dunk the frame in water
But are you sure you should be taking the frames out in February? The bees are going to need the food. More stores are used in January February than in the rest of the winter

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What can I do with these frames now? Store them safely until a given hives needs them?

You just answered your own question I take any surplus out in the spring and use them to make up nucs or emergency feeding during any dearth. Rock hard or not, the bees seem to cope with it

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ah…. France. I suppose spring has started that far south

 

[RichardK]

Yes just store them somewhere safe. The bees will take them if you uncap and quickly dunk the frame in water
But are you sure you should be taking the frames out in February? The bees are going to need the food. More stores are used in January February than in the rest of the winter

Hot water presumably? Or is it just about helping to dilute it, hence cold is fine?

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s just about leaving a film of water in top

 

[RichardK]

Ah…. France. Has spring started where you are?

It certainly has. This winter so far hasn't really been a winter it seems. Some cold nights down to -5° in the morning, but nearly always sunny during the daytime. The bees have only been stuck inside for maybe a dozen days since December.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I never bother

 

[RichardK]

You just answered your own question I take any surplus out in the spring and use them to make up nucs or emergency feeding during any dearth. Rock hard or not, the bees seem to cope with it

It almost seems mean to give it back to them...... I can tap it with a screwdriver and leave no mark!

 

[Erichalfbee]

It almost seems mean to give it back to them...... I can tap it with a screwdriver and leave no mark!

Better than throwing it away.

 

[Ian123]

Normally if ivy is under cappings it retains moisture and it’s a more paste like. I reserve those frames for feeding early nucs.

 

[mbc]

Things are starting to get going here & I'm on 4 frames of brood & a 5th starting. I swapped out a couple of frames full of ivy honey today to make room for more brood and was stunned at how hard it is - it's all crystalised. What can I do with these frames now? Store them safely until a given hives needs them?

Is it not midwinter?
I'd be tempted to leave well alone until you're comfortable in a tee-shirt outside.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is it not midwinter?
I'd be tempted to leave well alone until you're comfortable in a tee-shirt outside.

South of France

 

[mbc]

South of France

All the same, probably three weeks from almond blossom(it is in MIL's finca in Northern Spain)

 

[Boston Bees]

All the same, probably three weeks from almond blossom(it is in MIL's finca in Northern Spain)

Maybe, but still, certain amount of jealousy:

 

[Ian123]

Maybe, but still, certain amount of jealousy:

View attachment 30231

That’s a fair Scottish summers day

 

[Boston Bees]

That’s a fair Scottish summers day

I spent 20 years in Fife, so I can confirm this.

 

[RichardK]

All the same, probably three weeks from almond blossom(it is in MIL's finca in Northern Spain)

Almond blossom started last week and mimosa for pollen the week before.

 

[pargyle]

Almond blossom started last week and mimosa for pollen the week before.

Perpignan is beautiful ... my daughter spent half of her in-country part of her language degree there - she was there in the winter and spring - we visited her and it hardly seemed possible leaving the UK in mid winter and getting to Perpignan in spring ... we were walking around in T-shirts in February ! I'm not surprised the bees are well advanced.

 

[Boston Bees]

Must be nice to be able to do beekeeping for more than 4 months a year .....