Honey flow
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
You can get an idea when the flow is starting and stopping by observing the flight activity of the hive, but that really does not tell you if it is good or not. You could put the hive on a scale and observe the daily weight gain. That is a really good way but is of some considerable expense. Or, you can look at how fast the supers get filled up. I use option #3.
Little white and yellow butterflies mobbing an alfalfa field are a prime indicator. You have to open lids, the smell of a strong flow is wonderful, white wax on top bars is a sign of much nectar processing. You have to pop lids and stay ahead of the bees. I have seen deep supers filled in a week so if you scratch, you can miss it and watch a swarm. This is not a sport for the lazy.
Not all plants that have pollen have nectar, at my home base I just lift my hive to see if they are putting one weight, that can tell me if the honey flow is on. I know approximately when our honey flow will start and finish
it will change slightly from year to year. This year it was extended by about 2 weeks because of the wet conditions. Its important to monitor your local conditions.
In my out yards I have set up broodminder which I monitor remotely via cel, one scale per yard and temp monitors in all colonies.
I can tell exactly when the honey flow is on. right now my out yards are in dearth. Today the data shows me that for the last 2 weeks they have been consuming slightly more than they have bringing in. The fall honey flow should start about end september here in Texas
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
