spring flow

[Guest]

I can read what the calendar says about the Tulip flow occuring in April, but was wondering how I can tell if/when a flow is actually occuring? What are the signs?

Also, Kurt, if I want to put the Ross Round boxes on my good hive, how soon before that should I stop feeding the sugar syrup?

[Kurt Bower]

The best thing to do is to make sure you have your supers on a week ahead of time. I would also quit feeding around the same time. As long as you are not honey bound, I do not see any reason that the bees would actually move sugar syrup from the brood chamber to you honey supers (regular or ross round).
As for verifying a flow, you would almost have to pop the top and have a look. That or a hive scale would do the job.
It wont be too much trouble to pull a frame and check. If you are using foundation, then you are looking for drawn comb. If using drawn foundation then you will actually see nectar in the cells of the comb.
Depending on the year, you might actually see some black locust before you see tulip poplar in this area. Sometimes the flow will stop as abruptly as it started and then restart again.
Just be ready ahead of time.

Kurt

[Guest]

Does anyone in this area try to set up to capture the locust flow? I really like locust honey, and would like to hook up with someone that works toward that particular flow.

[Guest]

I managed to get some of the locust last year and it was awesome! Everyone that tried it loved it.
I simply super up and hope for the best. When extracting I try and seperate according to how the flows came on and according to color.
I guessthis works best. Not sure how you would try and isolate stricty locust any other way.
regards,
Kurt