Solution for feeding

[castlebee]

I have successfully fed my bees Spring and Fall with a solution of 5# of sugar in a big jar (2.5 gallon?). My reading indicated that I should use a 2:1 ratio for fall, so I used 10#'s in the same jar. I was disappointed that my bees were not drinking the solution. When I put on my insulation board and buttoned them down for the winter on yesterday, I found that a 1" thick plug of hard sugar candy had formed on the bottom of the jar, thus the bees could not feed. Did I make the solution too strong?

[Michael Bush]

Did you heat the water before adding the sugar? Also, I (and apparently you) don't know for sure what your exact mixture is under your circumstances.

If you add sugar to cold water you cannot dissolve even a 1:1 mixture. If you use hot tap water, you can usually (if you're tap is pretty hot) get a 1:1 mixture to dissolve, but you can't get a 2:1 mixture to dissolve unless you boil the water first. Then I stir while the heat is still on until it looks clear. Sometimes I bring it to a boil again, if I want to make sure it doesn't crystalize later.

[castlebee]

Thanks - you are correct - I did not heat the water. I'm not sure of my ratio, but I am using one of those large pickle jars restaurants get their product in. 5 pounds of sugar fil about 1/3 to 1/2 the jar. Ten pounds took a very long time to disolve (maybe never did completely).

[Branman]

Is that the proper amount for 2:1? 10 lbs in a gallon jar filled the rest of the way with water?

[Michael Bush]

8 pounds to a gallon of water would be roughly 1:1. 16 pounds in a gallon of water would be roughly 2:1.

But since you're not filling it full I'd guess you've ended up with about 5 pints of water to 10 pounds of sugar and that is about 2:1.


[This message has been edited by Michael Bush (edited October 28, 2003).]

[Dave W]

Greetings . . .

Heres some sugar VOLUMES:

4 lbs C & H Pure Cane Granulated sugar = Approx 9 cups. (Per label)
5 lbs Domino Pure Cane Granulated Sugar = Approx 11-1/2 cups (Per label)
10 lbs Domino Sugar - Approx 23 cups (Per label 10/03) OR 4 qts + 50 oz (DW 10/03)

Hope this helps!
Dave W