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I split my hives more severely than I normally do, while in SC, in order to get all of my pallets filled up. And now the largest orchard that I pollinate is complaining about the number of bees seen flying. And he is upset about the price too. I don't blame him, I don't like the strength of the colonies either and the price is negotiable.
So my questions, after doing this for 15 years or more, are:
What are the ideal numbers of frames of brood and frames of bees for a 1 and 1/2 story pollinating colony and a 2 story colony?
What is best for the apple orchard and what is best for the beekeeper?
Are they the same?
Am I wrong in my belief that a colony that swarms while in the orchard doesn't contribute much to pollination? My thinking is that if a colony swarms while in the orchard it doesn't have room for pollen or honey, so there won't be much foraging going on.
Is there a bees per minute flying formula that says whether a colony is a good pollinator?
So my questions, after doing this for 15 years or more, are:
What are the ideal numbers of frames of brood and frames of bees for a 1 and 1/2 story pollinating colony and a 2 story colony?
What is best for the apple orchard and what is best for the beekeeper?
Are they the same?
Am I wrong in my belief that a colony that swarms while in the orchard doesn't contribute much to pollination? My thinking is that if a colony swarms while in the orchard it doesn't have room for pollen or honey, so there won't be much foraging going on.
Is there a bees per minute flying formula that says whether a colony is a good pollinator?