>Subj:  A beginner's story
>Date:  95-08-08 11:38:16 EDT
>From:  [log in to unmask]
>To:    [log in to unmask]
>
>From:  [log in to unmask] (Blair Reischer)
 
>.....More drone cells than I had previously observed-- perhaps >several
dozen together near the bottom of each of the half dozen >frames I examined
>yesterday.  Is this normal, or is a problem?
 
   While the highest population of drones is in the spring, stong hives will
keep drones throughout the summer, and here in the south, some may keep them
all winter.  In general, the stronger the hive, the more drones it will have.
 More drones will also be raised when pollen is abundant, while a shortage
may cause them to get pushed out.
Good bees need to have some drone comb.  Beginners often remove it, making
the bees tear out worker comb to make more drone comb.
I prefer to keep the drone comb to the outside frames, as it is critical in
the spring to have plenty of worker comb in the center of the brood nest.
 
>When I work the bees, they  are a little more "hyper" than before.  I
>attribute this to the new queen's genetic contribution.  Am I right?   >My
original queen was a carolian from Weavers, I now have an >Italian from
Hardemans.
 
   Again, generally speaking, Carniolans are the most gentle of all bees,
while Italians are slightly more sassy.  The old German black bee that used
to be common in the wilds around here was more than sassy; it was sometimes
vicious.  There is a lot of variability though.  If the bees are runny and
nasty, you might consider another requeening.  I won't tolerate nasty bees.
 
>In June, the top brood box was heavy with honey.  It is lighter now.  > Do I
need to feed the bees this fall and winter?
 
   Midsummer is a time of dearth in many places, especially in the south.  We
are just now starting to get some brush bloom, that is yielding a little
nectar.  Cotton and soybeans are yielding some, though poisoning can stop
that.
 
   You might ask other beekeepers if you are in a good goldenrod area, as the
bees can add quite a bit of weight there, and you may not need to feed.
 Goldenrod has many species, some yield and some don't.  I've seen more
yields on acid soils than sweet ones.
So I'd wait another six weeks before feeding.  Then if necessary, don't be
stingy.
 
>I live in a heavily treed suburban section of Arlington, VA, with lots >of
tulip poplar trees and normal suburban vegetation.  I noticed this
>May/Junethat the Tulip Poplar flowering was less prolific than in >prior
years.  What causes this?
 
  Poplar is quite variable from year to year.  Hardwoods often go into a
biennial cycle blooming cycle.  Yield is often quite variable, even when
there are plenty of blossoms.
 
>How do I convince my bees to get on with it and starting building >out some
foundation in the top super?
 
  They had a setback, when you had to requeen, but it sounds like they are
coming back.  They may peak out, just as the goldenrod blooms and really pack
it in.  Patience.
 
[log in to unmask]                               Dave Green
PO Box 1215,   Hemingway,    SC   29554