--- On Sun, 11/21/10, Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  "Most make a decision at spring splitting the numbers needed for the year. "

Bob,
       My season (southwestern Alabama) starts around Christmas when I start feeding to build up hive populations.  The main honey flow
 is around the end of February into the middle of April or so.  Our  
natural early boost to hive population comes in the middle or end of 
January when mustard, henbit, and red maple starts to bloom copiously.  
That is a little late to start hive buildup for really strong honey 
production so I assist in an earlier build up.  My question is the 
following:
      You talk about deciding to make splits in the spring
 to increase hive numbers.  Here that timing would need to be in 
February
 in order for the splits to build up large enough population numbers to 
make an effective harvest off our honey flow.  Plus, we would need 
new/more queens in February for the splits.  Except for carrying nucs 
through the winter, how would you propose doing that?  I can get the 
worker population numbers up for the splits, I just cannot get the 
queens necessary to make the splits unless I make the nucs up the year 
beforehand.

Mike in LA   Who would really like to know


      

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