Chris wrote:
> I don't understand why you consider these low temperatures should start
> granulation. My understanding is that this proceeds best at 57F (mental
arithmetic
> says about 14C) and will be less rapid the further one gets from this
> temperature, up or down.

Cold nights cause the bees to cluster in the brood box, leaving the honey in
the supers.  The temperature in the supers then falls - but not to the
outside temperature because of heat rising from the brood box.  If this
happens early in the flow from OSR then granulation starts in the supers and
this will seed the later flow.  We get a similar problem if colonies swarm
early (or is split) leaving insufficient bees to cover the honey in the
supers.  14C is the optimum temperature for rapid granulation, but OSR (and
other honey) will granulate over a wide range; I prepare set honey
throughout the year by seeding clear honey and sometimes during the summer
the honey house, and therefore the honey, does not fall below 21C - but the
honey still sets.

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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