[Splorndle]

I have waited until now to pull my supers. Out of 30 medium frames 20 are 95% capped. 5 are 50% capped and 5 are 20% capped. This makes an overall 75% capped rate.


1. If I mix it all will the honey be bad?

if so then

2. Should I just extract the 95% capped and then put the frames out for the bees to rob the rest?

or

3. In Central NC should I put the frames back on the hives and see if they get capped in the next few weeks?

 

[Knisely]

Hi Splorndle:

I think you can extract everything--I expect that there's not much nectar coming in at present and that the honey that's in the combs, but not yet capped, is because the bees want to fill the cells a bit further. That nectar's been exposed to the same heat generation for brood rearing, and I expect it is not very watery at all. A simple test that you can do in the yard is to hold the frame horizontal over your hive and give it a shake. Nectar spills out. Honey doesn't.

 

[beeware10]

you should be ok to extract. 75% capped is the basic rule. any honey gathered is ripend during that night. as long as there is no major flow on the honey should be ok moisture wise. honey can be of the correct moisture content even though its not capped. they dont cap until the cell gets full.

 

[KQ6AR]

rule of thumb is 80%, but that varies by how humid you're part of the country is.
Shake the frame & see if nectar falls out.

 

[TWall]

If I can't shake nectar out of the frame I extract it. I have not had a problem with too much moisture in my honey.

I try to extract varietal honeys so I don't always wait for frames to be fully capped.

Tom