Once again we agree Allen.

Our problems is that all our equipment is new. We have been growing
agressively, from 400 colonies on june 2006 to close to 2600 colonies today.
From 0 supers to some 5000 drawn supers today. From zero honey to 74 tons in
total for the past three seasons. All the above with 25%, 42% and 30% winter
losses in 2006/7, 2007/8 , 2008/9 respectivelly.

We need to simulate "natural" conditions as far as possible and the "ladder
comb" is simulated with this piece of old comb. (when I said old y mean
drawn since the oldest we have is two years old).

Bees are amazing creatures that can give much more than what we think if we
give them a little and just in time help.

This "just in time" is the more difficult part. I am with Bob in the sense
of checking the (hopefully) blue end line. Therefore each little help is
evaluated against the expected results. A small piece of drawn comb cost
almost nothing and the results are awesome (at least over here after two
years of experience with the trick).

The same with the supplemental feeding, varroa and nosema treatments. The
"just in time" is what keeps me awake (desvelado). I believe we have to find
"natural" indicators for that.

Again - after two seasons- over here the indication to start summer
supplemental feeding is the goldenrod bloom. Goldenrod is an invasive weed,
and three years ago it start blooming by the end of march. The next year by
end of january and past season around the first week of february.

What about natural indications to start spring feeding?

-- 
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
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