We like the Russians....

dpence · August 05, 2008, 10:27:39 AM

My wife and I pulled honey from one of our Russian hives yesterday afternoon. They are the gentlest bees we have. I am really pleased with the genetics. Incidentally they were a new package this spring. Really pleased with the honey production too.

David

Keith13 · August 05, 2008, 10:30:58 AM

I have Russians and some ferals as well. I to like my Russians they are usually pretty gentle they built up fast this spring and have produced a ton of honey. I am really happy with them.

Keith

mlewis48 · August 05, 2008, 11:18:32 AM

I have 5 Russian colonies, as well as Italian, Buckfast, German, NWC, and a few colonies of Ferrel's. Trying to find, the one that I like best . The Russians are fast to build up, not as aggressive as the Buckfast. You have to stay one-up on them or you will find them hanging from a tree and a paniced neighbor on the other end of the phone. When I start next years expansions, I think that Russians will make it in the top 2 for our choice to buy, Buckfast, will be at the bottom of the list.
Good luck,
Marc

dpence · August 05, 2008, 02:02:13 PM

We have Italians, Carniolans and Buckfast too. I agree, we put the Russians right up there at the top.

rdy-b · August 06, 2008, 11:14:46 PM

Quote from: dpence on August 05, 2008, 02:02:13 PM
We have Italians, Carniolans and Buckfast too. I agree, we put the Russians right up there at the top.

where did you get the stock from :) RDY-B

Pond Creek Farm · August 06, 2008, 11:31:08 PM

I am curious about how quickly they built up. Are they in deeps, mediums? How many do they have drawn out? I, also, would like to know where to get a couple packages of Russians.

dpence · August 07, 2008, 01:39:42 AM

They started on one deep with plasticell April 15th, I added the second deep the last of May. I put the first medium super on mid June and have pulled fully capped honey this week. All the frames (10) in the super were drawn out, a few not completely capped (3) I left them in the hive. The packages came from Walter T. Kelly. I will admit the hives are on a 40 acre farm with lots of nectar and pollen sources.

David

DennisB · August 07, 2008, 09:04:32 AM

Way to go David. Even with all the rain they are still doing well! OUr Russians are doing fine as well. I agree, they are some of the most easy going of all of our hives.

Dennis

dpence · August 07, 2008, 10:10:18 AM

Thanks Dennis, I have some buckwheat blooming. Not much but some. I tilled up another strip this week and planted it, hopefully it isn't too late for it to bloom.

David