Pulling super's

Bobby2262 · April 11, 2012, 02:17:51 PM

Just want to ask a question on when everyone pulls their super's. In the past I have put another one on when the one below is about 80 % capped, then add another after that.
I had some turn to sugar while on the hive last year, so this year I'm considering pulling the 80-90% ones that are capped and putting a empty one, basically doing it one a time instead of stacking them.
Just wondered what your thoughts are on this or your methods.

Thank everyone for the help!
Bobby

D Coates · April 11, 2012, 05:19:16 PM

I pull mine in the beginning of June, July and mid Sept, assuming I've got good flow respectively. I've only done June once when there was abnormal Blackberry and Black Locust flow. The mid Sept harvest is good only if the soybeans produced (were planted before July 4th, have had good rain, and the temperatures get above the mid 90's). If they're 80% capped I'll take them. If I find the outer frames have little or no capping going on while I'm harvesting I may leave those frames alone. I stack them as deep as they'll let me before the respective harvest. I only add supers (9 frame drawn) when I see the middle frames getting capped and the outer frames fully drawn out.

Because of the various harvests, I sell the honey as labeled varietal and it's normally darker and stronger as the season goes on.

mdbee · April 11, 2012, 05:35:59 PM

Do you get much honey from the soybeans and are they round up ready beans or do they have any that is not round up ready seeds. i have a lot around my bee's and just like to here from others, sorry i got off pulling supers.

AllenF · April 11, 2012, 07:16:28 PM

I pull them in May, June, and July. Here in north Georgia, the honey flow is over in mid July. Over. Any honey supers left on will get cleaned out by the bees or you will loose them to SHB. So I have them off in July. There is a small fall flow, but that is winter honey for the bees.

hardwood · April 11, 2012, 10:09:25 PM

I just pulled our orange blossom honey this week (disappointing again this year for me. Most likely from the poisoning event). Gallberry and saw palmetto are blooming at the same time this year and have already started so I'll be pulling supers in three weeks or so...just after Bud4 I reckon. My next major flow will come from the cabbage palm...typically June-July (but don't know with this weird year) but that honey is quick to ferment and we'll sell it ASAP! Then in fall comes the Brazilian pepper that I'll pull again leaving enough for the bees to winter on.

Scott

Bobby2262 · April 12, 2012, 10:43:52 AM

Thanks for the comments by all, I have a few 80 % capped and folks wanting honey, so I think I'll pull those.
Here in NE Ga I see blackberry blooming but not real sure what else is, should be about time for the tulip poplar to start.

Thanks Bobby

D Coates · April 12, 2012, 11:03:52 AM

Quote from: mdwhitetale on April 11, 2012, 05:35:59 PM
Do you get much honey from the soybeans and are they round up ready beans or do they have any that is not round up ready seeds. i have a lot around my bee's and just like to here from others, sorry i got off pulling supers.

They appear to be RR. Soybean flow is fickle. The only times I've gotten flow was from when the beans were planted by mid June, there was consistant rainfall, and it was HOT. Take any of those out of the mix and you get nothing. When it's on it's heavy so be prepaired, but don't count on it. I thought it was flower dependent (white versus purple) but that was proven false this last year.