Mixing small cell foundation with regular

[eri]

This may be a dumb question, but I need to make a decision in the next couple of days and I don't want to possibly screw up the good thing I have going.

I plan to use a medium super on top of the 2 existing deep brood boxes. I'd like to try the small cell foundation in the super, and eventually (somehow) convert the deeps. Can I mix foundations like this? For example, all small cell in supers, replacement small cell mixed with regular in deeps. I understand the small cell is important for the brood irrelevant (?) for honey storage, but using it in the super may be a way to experiment, and I figure I can use the medium(s) for brood when I expand next year.

I'll probably be going to Brushy Mtn. Friday -- it's on my way to our rural mountain cabin in Blowing Rock. NC -- and I see they have the small cell for deep, medium, and shallow boxes; I don't think the local re-distributor stocks the small cell. (Besides, I need an excuse to visit Brushy Mtn. -- kid in a candy store kinda thing.)

It is a first year hive but the girls are going gangbusters so I figure adding a medium super couldn't hurt.

What do you think?

  -- eri

[Scadsobees]

Hmm...I'm not sure what kind of foundation you will be using, but I have a feeling that the bees will rework it to whatever they want.   This is the first step for "regressing" the bees, but they can make a mess of things.

I tried it with some plastic sc foundation that Dadant sent to me by accident, and it wasn't particularly successful.

Rick

[poka-bee]

First time beek here, I started my packages on sm. from Dadant in 8frm meds.  At first they did some weird looking irregular cells, then did a lot of bizarre Picasso looking burr comb.  Now they have perfect brood cells filling 2 boxes. I haven't measured it, probably not 4.9 yet but definitely closer to the stamping on the foundation. They make larger drone cells on the edges & larger storage cells for pollen & nectar.  Later this summer I'll put in some frames w/starter strip to see what they do.  Our big flow isn't till the blackberries, summer is just starting here.  Been so cold & wet that thimble berries are just now blooming.  It may take time for you but if that's what you want to get to then just start in, the bees will probably adapt.  MB has tons of info as do other posts here.  Jody

[Michael Bush]

If you put 4.9mm in the supers (and I would) they probably won't build it 4.9mm, but they will probably build it smaller.  They will build smaller comb in the brood nest than in the supers.  This isn't bad.  It just is.