I much prefer the Thorn'es crystal cut comb container. Shame it is shown as out of stock.
@GeorgeCMcRaeКүн бұрын
The packaging...... I think that's the barrier for beekeepers. How to box, how to display. Thank you.
@GeorgeCMcRaeКүн бұрын
Magnificent, Stewart! I tried Hogg half comb this year but it was premature. Colony needed to be stronger.
@charliegioe3158Күн бұрын
Should the deep box honey be capped white? Also why is some of it dark? Thank you Charlie PA.
@helenabuckley9506Күн бұрын
Fabulous video. So u don't get to re-use frame and foundation? Will.that increase the cost?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoКүн бұрын
Hi Helena, Thanks for your comment. No, the customer gets them. The wooden frame and foundation probably costs around 60-70p currently but the effect of the comb is spectacular I think. Well worthh it for a present for someone and if they're being sold they should easily sell for £15-20 at a market if not more. Stewart
@abenezergobeze8179Күн бұрын
My name is Abenezer Gobeze from Ethiopia, in east africa and tropical area. Where there is all year long sunshine. I about to start beekeeping and i am not able to decided with which hive to start my beekeeping . There are two types of bee hives considered as modern in our area. Kenyan Topbar hive and langstroth (zander version) Please can help me choice which hive to start my beekeeping ?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoКүн бұрын
Hi Abenezer, Thanks for getting in touch. I've used both but only here in the UK. The best advice I can give is for you to get in touch with Bees for Development www.beesfordevelopment.org/ They have a huge amount of experience and good contacts locally to help you get involved. Good luck with it. Stewart
@abenezergobeze8179Күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Thank you for your replay! From your experience, how many kilograms of honey can be harvested on average from top bar and Langstroth (Zander) hives respectively? Regarding Zander hives, when harvesting honey during the flow season, do you immediately replace the honey super with new frames of foundation sheet, or do you extract the honey from the supers and return the frames to the hive after the extraction process is complete? Thanks
@simbobcrafts4843Күн бұрын
I think ill give these a go next year. They would make ideal Christmas presents. How much do you think one section should be sold for? Thank you
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoКүн бұрын
Hi, At a farmers market or fair I would think they should sell for £19.99 without any trouble at all. They take a bit of work, you do lose some honey production from that colony and you have to start all over again next season. They're in limited supply and so shouldn't sit around on the display for very long at all I would think. Stewart
@markbaker94592 күн бұрын
The Dyce Method has been documented for use in reliable research for all to use on types of honey that don’t crystallize easily. But for those that crystallize far to easily, like many in Hawaii, one has to be inventive if your market is for Raw, pure, natural, local honey . Homogenized is a no heat method that produces the physical means of crushing the ‘brick’ into creamy butter-like honey.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoКүн бұрын
I've seen a unit supplied by the Thomas Apicultre company in France, this blends a 300kg drum by mechanical means but way more than we sell in any one period. Our soft set honey just isn't as popular as our other honeys yet it's my favourite! I hope you've had a great season beekeeping this year. Stewart
@markbaker94594 күн бұрын
For a productive use the time’: We ran 1200 pounds of Kiawe honey through our Champion Juice (set to Homogenize) to every 2 weeks produce our creamed raw honey. It sold out at all 17 locations and 2 farmers markets year round.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoКүн бұрын
Hi Mark, Thanks for your comments, that's really interesting to hear. is the Champion Juice a mehanical juicer machine. I'm not familiar with it here in the UK. Stewart
@bal-kutusu8 күн бұрын
Hello Thank you for your effort in producing video and following the comments. If you allow, I have 2 questions: 1. Starter cream honey is not possible in Turkey. Instead of producing seeds by crushing, could the following method be suitable: Before the honey freezes -after harvest-, putting it in the refrigerator at 8 degrees Celsius and stir for 3-4 days to ensure small crystallization 2. After adding seeds, you go directly to jars. Is it necessary to ensure that the crystals that are forming continue in smaller forms by stirring for 2-3 minutes for 3-5 days?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo5 күн бұрын
Hi, Yes, you could make the starter as you say, there is nothing wrong with a coarser granulated set honey, it's just some people like it as smooth as possible. The trick is the stirring while it granulates so if you can do that it will be better for it. Good luck. Stewart
@markbaker94598 күн бұрын
If you are looking about the farmers markets, ask them how the honey got to its creamed condition.’ You’ll be surprised at the way some cheat at this. Note that if they heat it, it’s no longer Raw. Heating causes it to lose its flavor and makes it just sweet sticky sauce. With it Raw, you can smell the flowers and taste the fruit produced by that plant or tree.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo5 күн бұрын
Hi Mark, Thanlks for your comment. I have know beekeepers to buy creamed ghoney from supermarketes and use that to seed their honey which seems bizarre really. The heat will damage the honey, there is no doubt. It doesn't just turn it into a "sweet sticky sauce" and I think you can still smell the local flora and taste that it is a local honey too. But I do take you comments and acknowledge that the honey is not the same as freshly bottled raw honey. I think the method needs to be viewed as a whole and the aim is to produce the smoothest set honey possible, which is what some people want. We also produce naturally set honey that is more granular but isn't heated. This can sometimes ferment as the process of granulation releases water. This is the reason the honey is heated to kill off yeasts and the like. It's a commercial bulk honey method, so, not a method for everyone, but if you're looking for a very smooth, still delicious tasting honey, then this method is worth a try. Stewart
@jewel2022now9 күн бұрын
When you hear it so much, does it wreck the value of the honey?
@jewel2022now9 күн бұрын
Heat
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo5 күн бұрын
Hi, The heat will damage the honey, there is no doubt. I think the method needs to be viewed as a whole and the aim is to produce the smoothest set honey possible. We also produce naturally set honey that is more granular but isn't heated. This can sometimes ferment as the process of granulation releases water. This is the reason the honey is heated to kill off yeasts and the like. It's not a method for everyone, but if you're looking for a very smooth, still delicious tasting honey, then this method is worth a try. Stewart
@brentstoker170812 күн бұрын
I would like to see how you put the cages on to keep the queens from killing one another I've bought that system and don't know how to use it you have finally shown me the first few steps but I need to know what I do after the Queen's start getting ready to hatch
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo10 күн бұрын
Hi Brent, Check out my other queen rearing videos for the additional info. The sealed queen cells come out of the cell builder set up prior to emerging and are put into queen mating nucs where they emerge and hopefully get out to sucessfully mate. We don't leave them in the cell builder coony to emerge because as you say they will either kill the rest or swarm. Stewart
@LexieDuncan-x1p14 күн бұрын
Your sections look great it is difficult for the bees to fill right out to the edge ross round sections fill right out but these will look good when fitted in the cases .
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo10 күн бұрын
Hi Lexie, Yes, it seems the bees really don't/won't/can't build the comb to the very edge of the basic wooden square, but I don't think it detracts from it as they've done such a great job overall. I do need to find a decent container for them as the ones I have are really not great! Stewart
@LexieDuncan-x1p3 күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo next time you make up section frames rub the inside of the sections with beeswax and put water on outside of bends with a small paint brush to bend them this helps the bees to fill sections right out
@johnbrownfield991114 күн бұрын
Hi Stewart. Very interesting video. Is the idea that the capped sections are sold with the wooden surround or do you remove the wooden surround and reuse it? Thanks.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo10 күн бұрын
Hi John, Yes, they are sold with the wooden surround. I've yet to find a really attractive container for them but I think for hobbyists, they make great gifts for friends and family. Stewart
@petermcfadden942615 күн бұрын
What's the other side like? Sections should do well on the heather. My hives in North Wales had sealed heather honey on 1st August, working from my home apiary a mile from the ling heather.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo14 күн бұрын
Hi Peter, Both sides are the same, fully capped and looking very nice. I do hope the weather improves for the heather, we're taking our bees to the North York moors and this week looks rather wet and cold. Good luck with your heather crop this year. Stewart
@eastsussexbeesandwildlife580115 күн бұрын
Thanks for the update and indeed for all your videos.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo14 күн бұрын
My pleasure!!
@Freedomisreal67019 күн бұрын
Great video, thank you so much
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo14 күн бұрын
You are welcome!
@homesweethomewithjen431620 күн бұрын
Hi Stewart, another great video. All your videos have been an excellent resource for me in my first beekeeping year. I am also going to leave a super on my hives over winter. I have however heard of some beekeepers putting the supers under the brood box instead of on top. Which way would you recommend? Thanks
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo19 күн бұрын
Hi Jen, thanks for you message, glad you're enjoying my videos and that they're helpful to you. Yes, we will "Under-Super" our colonies later in the Autumn. It's my preferred way, it brings the brood nest higher in the hive and to my way of thinking, keeps it above any cold breezer that might get under the hive over winter. Stewart
@user-so2kz5hq5w20 күн бұрын
What could we grow for the gap between bramble and ivy?
@inharmonywithearth998220 күн бұрын
I would suggest Vitex Negundo. It blooms all spring, summer and fall and always covered in buzzing honeybees. Make sure it's not Vitex agnus castus. It's bloom is bigger but honeybees dont like it. Nothing that will grow in your area will beat a shrub of Vitex Negundo for honeybees but Vitex Agnus Castus wont do bees any good . But planting vitex shrubs is only my humble opinion not his. We still need his opinion on what to plant.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo19 күн бұрын
I like to leave that period for the bees to store up for the Winter, there's lots of forage out there still but not a massive nectar flow unless you have something specific locally. It's a great time for us beekeepers to take a breath and start extracting too!
@simbobcrafts484320 күн бұрын
Hi. I'm not far from you. I'm thinking of taking off the supers this weekend. It is hard to judge if more nectar might come in August
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo19 күн бұрын
We're taking supers this week and next. There's not much of a flow from here on so I like to leave it for the bees to load up the brood nest.
@homesweethomewithjen431622 күн бұрын
After inspecting my new hive a couple of days ago I found exactly the same where the bees uncapped the worker brood cell. I was also reading an article in the current BBKA magazine which does vaguely cover the subject of varroa resistance and the hygienic practice of the bees. I am also looking to not treat my bees for varroa and hopefully control it using natural practices.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo20 күн бұрын
Hi, It's a tricky topic and one that really needs considering thoroughly. I'm certainly going to look at it further and see where it leads. Good luck with your beekeeping. Stewart
@sjoseph364122 күн бұрын
Thank you Stewart, I just chopped a load out of my 2 hives yesterday (I’m in Sussex) I really would love to avoid chemical treatments, may I ask - is there a point in the season at which we should not remove drone brood? TIA
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo20 күн бұрын
Hi, We have put drone brood frames in for July to remove in August, I don't think I would do this after August as you really want the brood to be Winter worker brood at that point. It's going to take around three full weeks to get that drone brood out of the hive so anything added now will come out in Late August. Stewart
@sjoseph364120 күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Thank you so much for replying Stewart, that is brilliant information, many thanks for your expert advice 🙂
@rangersteve227923 күн бұрын
Are the wooden supers you're using mediums? And if so who makes them please? Love your video btw. Hoping to find some borage to pollinate next year!👍
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo20 күн бұрын
Hi Steve, Are you in the UK? Yes they are mediums, we bought a bulk load from another bee farmer a couple of years ago. If you're after some drop me a message via my website and I'll see what we have spare. Stewart
@timlewis987327 күн бұрын
Who makes that bee hive?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo24 күн бұрын
It's a Honey Paw hive, available here in the UK from Modern Beekeeping.
@timlewis987324 күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Thank you.
@simonfinnegan27 күн бұрын
I can't find the follow on video 😢. What happened?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo24 күн бұрын
Hi Simon, This video is from a while back so I'm not totally sure what did happen. The follow up video is probably in the archive on Patreon. www.patreon.com/norfolkhoney Stewart
@chester634328 күн бұрын
Hi there, fantastic vid, will adding supers suppress their desire to swarm, I have a lang hive that is filling 2 supers but last inspection the brood nest was looking quite full, I spun the outside frames round in and attempt to get them working on something, no qcs but a few play cups, nothing charged that I could spot, I'm worried they will fill up the brood box before next inspection and try to swarm, and also when I take the supers off and condense them there is going to be a fair bit of congestion, is this a concern for heading into winter? I didn't want to demaree a couple weeks back as I don't have drawn comb yet for brood and was worried it would set them back before winter. Any advice appreciated, All the best
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo24 күн бұрын
Hi and thanks for commenting. Certainly, adding more space for the bees does help in reducing the desire to swarm, and we are at that point in the season where the urge to swarm should be falling off. For us, the available forage will start to diminish very soon and the brood nest will also start to reduce in size as the queen slows down her egg laying as we approach Autumn. It's always difficult to advise what the best course of action is as there are so many variables but giving additional space will help. Good luck with them. Stewart
@chester634324 күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo thank you for replying and that really helps I appreciate i. I was going to demaree (on foundation) however I've been forced to split late, not ideal, but as they have made swarm preparations in the BB with 3 supers on 2 rammed with bees and nearly capped, I really feared they would probably swarm, weather is pretty good here in East Sussex. I did a 3 frame split, will feed nuc and pray they make up the numbers before it cools down, there is a lot of late forage here so I'm hoping they will be okay (fingers crossed). It's hard to say but hope I've done the right thing. All the best
@martprice772628 күн бұрын
I don’t actually believe in verroa resistant because why is the verroa in there in the first place? and so many cells being un capped I have one site that’s very bad with verroa and the reason is my neighbour thinks he’s got Verroa resistant bees but really he’s just offloading them onto me. if you don’t treat you just spread verroa all round your neighbours.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo24 күн бұрын
Hi Mart, It's an interesting point you raise and one that needs discussion. I'm hoping to chat with someone who is an advocate of resistant honeybees so I'll be sure to put that point to him. Stewart
@robnicolson274729 күн бұрын
Great video as always. One of my colonies does this, coincidently I bought them from a keeper that hadn't treated for atleast 5 years. This will be their second winter with me. I thought it was a bad brood pattern untill seeing your video!
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo28 күн бұрын
Hi Rob, It's really interesting and something I've never really considered doing before. I think I will set up a single apiary and go treatment free with the colonies having selected for whatever visible traits, such as this bald brood, as I can. Stewart
@robnicolson274728 күн бұрын
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo please keep us updated. There is afew not to far from me that don't treat and I believe one that has never treaded ever, im not sure I should share their location but if you want I can find the information and send it to you?
@simbobcrafts484329 күн бұрын
Hi. Do you get higher honey yields in your honey paw hives compared to the wood. Does it make up for the cost difference between poly and wood at the moment?
@bennybeekeeper28 күн бұрын
I’m also interested in this question?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo28 күн бұрын
Hi Simbob, Our Honey Paw poly hives are fantastic for overwintering colonies compared to any wooden hives I've ever used. Colonies come out of the Winter stronger, healthier, and in my opinion better equiped to generate either a better spring crop or a larger brood nest area that I can make splits from. These go on to build large colonies for the Summer flow too. They are tough and wear well, all they need is some masonry paint and that protects the poly from UV rays.I wouldn't go back to wooden hives now and I'm converting all of my equipment over to Honey Paw, oh, and I'm not being paid to say that either! :) Stewart
@PaulDobsonTV29 күн бұрын
What Bee Keepers suit are you wearing?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo28 күн бұрын
Hi Paul, It's an Oz Armour bee suit. My first year of trying it out and I've had some rather annoying stings through the veil. I discovered the reason for this and hope to shoot a suit review video explaining what happened once we get nearer the end of the season and I can give some feedback through experience of a full season with it. Stewart
@PaulDobsonTV28 күн бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo OK thanks. I'll look forward to seeing this as my family and I just have bee keeping jackets and hoods so far... But saying this they're working out very well.
@laurad213629 күн бұрын
Great video.. would be good to have some more zoomed in/closer recordings to see the frames i.e. when talking about bold brood etc.😊
@TheNorfolkHoneyCo28 күн бұрын
Hi Laura, Thanks for the comments, I'll look to get some close up video of this blad brood for KZfaq, there are a number of my other videos showing close ups of bald brood caused by wax moth but not this particular type I don't think. Next time we check them out on video I'll see if we can find some more to shoot. Stewart
@LexieDuncan-x1pАй бұрын
Cant wait to try this method thanks.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Lexie, It works really well but make sure to use washing soda in a good quantity and hot water. That way the propolis seems to melt away leaving the frames nicely clean. Good luck with it. Stewart
@nixdwallaby5688Ай бұрын
Hello Stewart - any benefit to allowing the eggs to mature to day 2 or 3, or even become larva before transfer? Otherwise, once an egg s are in the cups, move them over? Also - if you didn't want 110 egg filled cups, could you place fewer cups in the frame, or does that risk her not laying? Thank you for the most clear and concise video on Nicot
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Nix, Thanks for your comments. Yes, I think allowing the eggs to develop further is something well worth doing and something experience has taught us, we get a far better success rate. I will look to produce another video using this process showing that. I think for ease of use, using all of the cups and taking only what you need works best. I means less cleaning and it's a simple enough task to relace and clean unused cups. Stewart
@anthonymcloughlin8382Ай бұрын
Can you tell me whether you need to spray syrup on to the board to encourage the bees in ? Many thanks, Anthony
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Anthony, No need to use syrup at all. Keep it simple and marvel at how the bees organise themselves. Stewart
@paddypower3760Ай бұрын
I got given a box of sections last year to try but the bees refused to work them, i was later told its not easy to get them going on them by a man, he said he has good luck using swarms in nucs so i made up a few to try, worked a treat
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi P.P. The results we have just seen are not too bad for a first attempt. We have some nice looking comb being built in quite a lot of the squares. I do think the key to real success with them is having lots and lots of bees that are producing wax and as you say a swarm would work fantastically well with them. Good luck with your beekeeping. Stewart
@MAQ123Ай бұрын
so the question is on the foundation quality as people acutally eat it. I thought section honey shouldnt use foundation
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi, Thanks for commenting. Use only thin foundation so there is minimal extra wax. I think without foundation it would be almost impossible to get the bees to draw comb in a way that suits us. Not that the bees really care what we want of course! Stewart
@LexieDuncan-x1pАй бұрын
Irish secction is much easier as a full sheet is fitted acrass 3 or 4 way sections and is much stabler the row is completed all together.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi, That's really interesting to hear. I'll have to order some Irish sections in and see how I get on with those too. have you had much success with Sections? I'm getting a lot of negative comments regarding their ease of use and the ability of the bees to draw them fully. Stewart
@scott9631Ай бұрын
I’ve just found a bee and it only has one wing and it can’t fly and even though it July it’s raining and quite cold so I’ve put some soil and a leaf into a little old reptile type plastic vivarium with some water in a milk lid. Will sugar syrup be okay for it ?
@nigel4321Ай бұрын
I was told not to smoke supers, what are your thoughts?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Nigel, I've heard that too, I don't think my taste buds are so delicate to detect any smoke getting into the honey and sometimes necessary to drive bees down or out of a super without getting them worked up and grumpy! That said, we tend not to smoke supers heavily, just a puff or two between boxes etc. Stewart
@nigel4321Ай бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo thanks for your reply. useful to know.
@PaulDobsonTVАй бұрын
How are you preparing for winter after this rubbish summer eg two deeps and a feeder?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Paul, With our Langstroth hives I have no problem over wintering the colonies on a single brood. If we have supers that have a little honey in them at the end of the season we'll probably leave that on beneath the brood box but otherwise everything will be settled down for the long haul as normal. What are you intending to do? Anything different form your normal set up? Stewart
@PaulDobsonTVАй бұрын
@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo This year has been a rubbish year so I'm checking them and I'll probably feed them during Autumn to help them stock up for winter.
@simbobcrafts4843Ай бұрын
North York moors? That's a long way from Norfolk
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi, Yes it is a long way but, with luck, worth the effort! Fingers crossed we get some help from the weather gods! Stewart
@saintjohncoleman8602Ай бұрын
Here in the USA, southeast coastal VA actually 30 miles from Norfolk VA, the nectar flow has been the best ever! Blackberry, and privet filled the supers, now we are getting mimosa, mint, catnip, and clover, and that will get us to the July-September cotton flow. This has been the best year ever. Great videos. Thanks.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hey there, Sounds like you're on for a bumper harvest! Glad it's looking good for you. Stewart
@sandcyngalАй бұрын
You make it easy.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Thanks for your comment. Stewart
@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801Ай бұрын
Thanks for all your videos Stewart.
@jaredmalcolm1Ай бұрын
This was a great video! My question…is there a way to reuse the rejected/unselected cups for her to lay in again?
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Jared, Yes, most certainly, we have simply left the cups in place, added replacement cups where needed and given the entire box a spray with clean water. I dno't know if that is essential but it makes me think I'm cleaning them out and with a little water in there the workers get in and clean it out anyway. We always have enough young larvae for our needs and never need it to be fully loaded so I'm happy with the process. Have a great SUmmer beekeeping. Stewart
@FrederickDunnАй бұрын
This is a very interesting presentation. Thank you so much for sharing about Borage. I hope you receive a warmup very soon. Wishing you all the best in beekeeping.
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Fred, The weather has turned, we're now "enjoying" heatwave conditions and about to move our bees to the borage. Have a great Summer's beekeeping. Stewart
@alansunderland584Ай бұрын
We have lots of borage growing as a weed in our garden. The bumblebees love it but I have yet to see any of my honey bees touch it. Wrong sort of bees or wrong sort of borage??
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi Alan, I don't think it's either the bees or the borage! I'm sure they're on it but you might have a larger source of nectar and pollen locally that they are more interested in. Good luck for a nice summer crop of honey. Stewart
@user-zl1ts6qf6gАй бұрын
Hi Stewart, my hive has swarmed, I’ve destroyed queen cells but now I am worried I could be queenless. What should I do? Could you do a video on it
@TheNorfolkHoneyCoАй бұрын
Hi, You're certainly not the first person to do this and you won't be the last so don't beat yourself up about it. If you can add a frame of eggs from another colony then they will produce more queen cells. If you don't have another hive, ask a friendly local beekeeper if you could have a frame of eggs from them. Good luck Stewart