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Post by thesolarstore on May 5, 2009 9:08:51 GMT -7
Thanks for great Bee School. Can bees get pollen from Juniper trees? my bees rely on bitterbrush and Musard grass for pollen but interested to know other sources.
Thanks
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Post by Thom on May 6, 2009 8:29:12 GMT -7
I'll need to check my book when I get home to see if it is a major source for honey bees or not. Some pollen sources are inconvenient for bees to collect. Oddly plants like blueberries are pollinated more often by bumble bees (here on the coast). Honey bees prefer easier and more abundant pollen sources. It all has to do with opportunity, like how plum nectar is too thick for them, but if that is all that is around, that's what they will take, but given easier nectar sources they will avoid plums.
If you are collecting pollen you will be getting a mix of everything that is out there unless you live in an area that is planted with only one thing for miles.
PS, I had a wonderful time doing that class. I hope that those in the class will stay in touch with me. My email address is ccbees@gmail.com
Thom
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Post by thesolarstore on May 7, 2009 8:36:26 GMT -7
Hi Thom, The class certainly inspired everyone, I believe there are over a dozen nucs coming from Portland this weekend, mine included. I have kept bees for 4 years and never taken a class before but what i liked about it most was the realisation that there is alot of variation in bee management and care and sometimes its best to use your own judgement. I was able to bring my old frames to the apiary day and got them checked out to show that they had died of starvation, even though the upper deep was full of honey! Brushing off the dead bees revealed an array of bee butts sticking out of the combs. If some years they are not going to be able to get up to the upper deep because of the cold then maybe I should put the queen excluder between them and take off the honey since they bearly managed to fill 4 frames of the shallow that year. At what time of the year would you suggest moving the excluder down in order to allow enough brood rearing but give them enough time to refill with honey? Thanks again
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Post by Thom on May 7, 2009 9:22:29 GMT -7
First, let get to the juniper question; I consulted my book and it wasn't listed, so it's probably not a major source.
Another way of over-wintering to consider is to put your bees into nuc boxes for the winter. It is a tighter space so it is easier, less area to guard. Pop in a fresh frame of honey every once in a while. When the snow melts reissue them to the full size hive. They normally won't go through an excluder until there is ample stores to put up there.
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