Bees are out almonds

andrewschwab · Apr 7, 2008

Well the bees have been out of the almonds for some time. :notworthy:

Beekeepers are making there splits this month like mad. HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR BEES?
Almonds went well for those who where up for the task. So the bees for the most part are looking good.

Also if you ever where interested in having your own bees look around for local classes they have been running for some time. If you missed this year THERE is always next. Mark your calendar

Really it would be good to see a beehive in every back yard. Honey or not. :wave:

wayneb · Apr 7, 2008

At my latitude and altitude (40 deg N, 7500 feet, in the Colorado Rockies), is that even possible? I'd love to give it a go, if there is a chance that I can keep them alive during the winter. I'd also worry that since we're in the middle of a conifer forest, there's not much in the way of nectar for them to go after.

andrewschwab · Apr 7, 2008

Hard to say without seeing the area. I think that MOST area's are at least ok for bees.
As for cold, cold doesn't kill bees, moisture kills bees, cold draft kills bees, no food kills bees, mites kills bees, chemicals kill bees.

It is amazing how many small flowers we overlook, but the bees take notice. It may turn out they make enough honey to live on, but none for you. Unless you want to feed them for winter stores.

wayneb · Apr 7, 2008

Hmmm.... well it might still be worth a shot with one hive, anyway. Come to think of it, since we're about 1/4 mile from a large alpine meadow, there are small flowering plants among the grasses that they would probably forage for nectar. I guess I'll talk to my beekeeping buddy at work about what I need to do to get started.

Medsen Fey · Apr 7, 2008

Hi Wayne,

If I am remembering correctly, in Europe, some of the forest honey is considered to be superb, and is quite expensive. You might get something great from you own backyard - what was that thing some wise sage said about Custer?

wayneb · Apr 7, 2008

Yeah, Medsen. I've thought about that, but I've also considered the references that I've read saying that "honeydew" honeys made from conifer secretions are not particularly good in meads.

Of course those sources are all dated -- most from 20 years ago -- and they probably reflect the same thinking that led to the inclusion of acid additions at the beginning of fermentation! :laughing7:

The bottom line is, if I can set up a hive here and can expect to harvest a reasonable amount of honey from it, I will give this a try. But probably not this year!

Medsen Fey · Apr 7, 2008

Actually, I was referring to the forest honey Oskaar mentions Here rather than honeydew honey (though I would like to try a sample of that as well). Heck, even if you get mountain wildflower honey I bet it'll be great!

wayneb · Apr 7, 2008

Yes, what Oskaar is talking about is the alpine forest honey, as opposed to pure "honeydew." As I said, there may be enough flowering plants to keep bees happy up here, and that mixed with whatever the bees collect from the conifers might make for an interesting mixture. I think that it is worth trying if I can convince myself that the bees will produce enough honey to allow me to harvest a useful amount from the hive.

Arjan · Apr 7, 2008

~i actually got a mead sitting here made from alpine honey. (awefull btw due to the backsweeten hehe)
but yes bees do not only make their honey from nectar. take a look for example to linden honey.
Linden trees have alot of lice in it, and just like ants the bees like the doodoo of the lice. (very sweet stuff)
they also use this to turn into honey. (creates a very dark color, but very nice honey)

As for the cold/beehyves/pine forests. i came across an beekeper in the middle of nowhere in the vosgues (france) in the middle of a pine forest.
i made a picture of it
the picture was made about 5 kilometers from the ski area's

wayneb · Apr 7, 2008

Well, if he can do it there, I should be able to over here!

I've been talking with my beekeeping buddy, who advises that I should get a nuc with a Russian queen. They are more cold-adapted than the more common Italian ones. I will do that, next year, while I still have time to order. Apparently I missed the opportunity to get a nuc order filled for this year. Well, even if I still could, I don't think I could do all the work necessary to prep a hive for them now before they'd arrive. So, this is on my plan for next year.

Launcelot · Apr 7, 2008

Wayne,

There was a guy I knew as a kid that kept bee's, And we lived in the Sierra nevada's outside of Tahoe, I mean it is not exactly a point of serious knowledge or anything, but I remember the guy and his bee's and it being scary at his house (I am very allergic). This was outside of Tahoe, around the 8kft mark.

This guy had them for at least 5 years that I know of... I also vaguely recall his answer to frozen bee's being a 100w lightbulb under the hive in the winter.... (Sorry if I am a bit vague, but literally these are some crusty old memories)

--L

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Bees are out almonds

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