View Full Version : Too soon to sooper?
Beorn
06-03-2007, 09:13 PM
Sorry about the spelling... I couldn't resist. I installed 2 queens this year. One April 26, one May 12th. Both seem to be doing very well. We've had a very warm May with lots of sun. They are both on two deep dead-outs from last year. Is it too soon to add a honey super? I've done a search but haven't seen any opinions on the matter.
Chef Isaac
06-03-2007, 09:39 PM
There is a 7/10 "rule" that some go by. When the bees have drawn out 7 of the ten frames, than put a super on.
I follow the 7/10 rule too. When I get to the supers tho I cheat and just put in 9 so do I really follow the 7/10 rule?
berkshire bee
06-04-2007, 12:34 AM
I'm in westerm MA, about 1 1/2 hr south east of saratoga NY and have a couple of packages started april 13th. They teared through two deeps and I added 1st medium honey super last week.
I go by bee density. I leave them in one until they cover 95% of the frames at least. I've seen too many that drew out the frames but couldn't cover them. In that condition, more space sets them back.
beegee
06-04-2007, 09:15 AM
I follow the 7/10 rule too. When I get to the supers tho I cheat and just put in 9 so do I really follow the 7/10 rule?
NO,NO, NO!! Using 9-frame equipment, you must use the 6.3/9 rule(or the 5.6/8 rule in 8-frame or the 3.5/5 rule in a 5-frame nuc. Carefully count each filled cell in each frame and when you have precisely 6.3 frames filled, you can then install the super. Remember the inventory bees(the little-known stage between nurse bees and house bees)keep careful records of filled cells vs empty cells and dispatch guard bees to sting when the ratio isn't right. This is why so many beekeepers get stung, because they don't follow the rules.
berkshire bee
06-04-2007, 11:47 AM
What if you're using the metric system. Do you have conversion tables I can use??
Double it and add ......30;)
While consuming a 24
Matt NY
06-04-2007, 06:31 PM
I'm in westerm MA, about 1 1/2 hr south east of saratoga NY and have a couple of packages started april 13th. They teared through two deeps and I added 1st medium honey super last week.
I guess that puts me right in between you two. I have a super on my new nucs, they seem to be doing good with it. I'll add another probably next week.
Check for comb on the inner cover or on the top bars.
Hope to see you at the BetterBee feild day.
bleta12
06-04-2007, 08:08 PM
I'm in westerm MA, about 1 1/2 hr south east of saratoga NY and have a couple of packages started april 13th. They teared through two deeps and I added 1st medium honey super last week.
I live in CT and we probably have the same timing on honey flow.
I believe that you missed the excellent honey flow we had last 3 weeks three mediums almost caped.
If you started with a 5 frame nuc at the end of April early May, you should have been able to profit from the whole flow we had, light color, some dandelion, honey suckle and black locust.
We should expect clover as soon as the weather gets better.
Gilman
Beorn
06-04-2007, 08:47 PM
We're about a week or so behind CT. I've been driving back and forth the past two months, and I've seen the locusts, chestnuts, and catalpa in bloom for much long than up here. I hope this current flow doesn't get cut too short by the several inches of rain we got today. The clover is just coming into bloom, and I don't plan on mowing my lawn for a while. I did get the majority of the dandelion, luckily. My bees ignored the honeysuckle, though. It looks as though the bramble berries and wild strawberries are in full bloom. The elderberries don't look far behind.