Beekeeping in the south, still different.

[Understudy]

After having seen this red propolis at Konasdad that you snowbirds keep talking about, I decided to take some pictures of what propolis in the south Florida area looks like.



The propolis is brown and chewy like bublegum and tastes like yuck.



They aren't great photos but it was a point and shoot and it was raining.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Cindi]

Brendhan, when you get a chance, take some better pictures of your propolis.  I couldn't make out what the pictures were.  ARe the kind of blobby looking things propolis blobs?  I would love to see some more pictures, go ahead, make my day!!!!  Have a wonderful life, best of this day.  Cindi

[Understudy]

The blobby looking things are propolis.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[sc-bee]

I'm with you on that one understudy!!! I read a post for a recipe that said use so much red propolis. I keep looking for it :shock:.

My propolis looks like already chewed chewing gum, the gray kind!!!

[CBEE]

So far the propolis here runs from a gold to brown color sometimes with a red streak. I have not seen it totally red though.

[KONASDAD]

I have different colors of propolis, but when fresh it can look bloody. My purvis bees are propolis fools. They can glue somehting in minutes, really amazing.

[BeeHopper]

I Hate Propolis  :-x :-x

[sean]

propolis  here tends to be dark brown. have never tasted it though although its said to a miracle cure for many ailments

[TwT]

I have seen red, gold, brown, tan but never seen the white blobby stuff......

[Michael Bush]

>I Hate Propolis 

Why?  It protect, seals and disinfects.

[BeeHopper]

>I Hate Propolis 

Why?  It protect, seals and disinfects.

Yes, of course  :-D I just hate getting it on my hands/gloves while I work the hives, it sort of makes my hands clumsy  :(

[JP]

Our propolis is the gray variety also.

[Michael Bush]

Ah, yes I dislike it when I try to let go of something and it sticks to my glove, especially when its a frame of bees I'm trying to put down.

[rdy-b]

 :)    http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-1996835587000078948  they say the green is mean ;)                               
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3199033249560866452   RDY-B

[Dane Bramage]

+1 for red propolis - all I have here.

[Cindi]

My Italians bees love to collect propolis and lots of it, they glue everything tightly shut.  When I am working in the hives, man do my fingers get full of that crap.  I keep a cold bucket of water nearby and every few minutes I put my hands in the cold water and the propolis rubs off my fingers very quickly.  I do this very frequently and don't get too much of a build up.  I can't stand my fingers being sticky and propolis just ain't my cup of tea. 

When I am done my work in the beeyard I have another little container that I use as the second measure to rid propolis.  It is a mason jar that has rubbing alcohol in it. I put my hands in this container and wash my fingers and hands.  The propolis is gone probably in under a minute.  Then I have another little container that I have more water in and I wash my hands in this water to rid the rest of the alcohol.  Then of course I have a cloth handy to dry, or just wipe my hands on my jeans.

When I am outside with the bees, the likelihood of me wanting to go into the house to clean up my hands is remote.  It is too far and there is too much fun to be had outside to even waste a few minutes to go into the house to wash.  I am in play mode when I am outside, and when I speak of play, it is weeding, working, that is my play.  Going into the house means that I might have to do some work and on those nice days, I really don't like work :roll: ;) :)

My procedures are rather odd, but they work for me and I don't have those sticky hands that I am sure every flower petal, weed and hunk of dirt or rock would stick to!!!  Have this wonderful day, love our life we're livin'.  Cindi

[Beebrain]

I get red propalis only but it is only used by the bees to fill small gaps in the hive and glue the frames together.  I  have not ever seen such large deposits as depicted in the photographs. 

Neil

[Understudy]

It's funny it's like they make their own entrance reducers. As it gets closer to winter they start making those walls of propolis. When it gets warmer they will chew it away.

Sincerely,
Brendhan