Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: MustbeeNuts on May 26, 2008, 10:35:58 AM

Title: The Honey Flow?
Post by: MustbeeNuts on May 26, 2008, 10:35:58 AM
I think I'm confused on the honey flow thing, could someone explain just what is meant. I know we have pollen now, oak, mulbery and grass, among other things, my new hives are full of brood as hoped, but I only see a little honey at the edges of the brood frames, plus an empty frame at each end. Is this going t be mostly honey at the ends? (end frames) because I was at about 80 percent I went and put a med on for more brood space. The bees did move up. However I still don't quite understand the flow  process. How is that different from pollen collection. (or is it), is it just what they decide to do with it?
Kind of confused, please explain the differences between pollen collection and a honey flow?
Title: Re: The Honey Flow?
Post by: JP on May 26, 2008, 10:43:08 AM
Honey flow is just a term to describe that there is a good bit of available nectar in your area. When your area is producing its most abundant, or simply abundant amounts of nectar, you are experiencing "the flow" The bees will be extremely active coming and going from these sources.

My main one is on now, the chinese tallow flow.

Your bees may use the two outer frames for honey or brood or a little bit of both.


...JP
Title: Re: The Honey Flow?
Post by: Michael Bush on May 26, 2008, 11:45:39 AM
According to Walt Wright, he thinks there is plenty of nectar from the early spring bloom on.  He thinks the "Honey flow" is when they make up their mind to start storing honey instead of building up the workforce to do so.

Personally, I'm trying to observe whether I think this is or is not true, but it makes a certain amount of sense based on my experiences.
Title: Re: The Honey Flow?
Post by: Cindi on May 27, 2008, 11:01:16 AM
Quote from: Michael Bush on May 26, 2008, 11:45:39 AM
According to Walt Wright, he thinks there is plenty of nectar from the early spring bloom on.  He thinks the "Honey flow" is when they make up their mind to start storing honey instead of building up the workforce to do so.
Personally, I'm trying to observe whether I think this is or is not true, but it makes a certain amount of sense based on my experiences.

Somewhere drawn from the cobwebs of my mind, in research I have done:

Nectarflow  The availability of nectar from sources

honeyflow  The conditions of the colony which cause the colony to utilize the honey, example, storing it instead of using it for building up the workforce

Basically, I interpret this as something similar as what Michael was saying Walt Wright was saying in the above statement, they kind of go hand in hand.  Best of this wonderful and beautiful day, lovin' and livin' our great lives.  Cindi
Title: Re: The Honey Flow?
Post by: SmokeEater2 on May 27, 2008, 06:16:51 PM
What a great Forum! Y'all have answered yet another one of my questions. I was wondering about honey flow myself. Thanks!  :)