I see, from the beginners section, that people are still telling newbies that fondant is the stuff to feed, even though it is time for colony expansion.
Fondant is OK for starvation prevention, but.....
11% water is NBG for feeding larvae - think here of what water content larvae might be?
Think of what the bees will be out and collecting if the weather is warm enough? That is right - water and pollen!
Think how long these winter bees are going to have to survive, if brooding has started and ceases, before they are replaced by sufficient new bees to avoid colony dwindling.
Think how long the colony will take to expand to a force strong enough to collect surplus nectar. Yes, that is right, at least a couple of brood cycles - yes, over six weeks.
Try an entrance feeder with 1:1 syrup and just see which they will take - liquid or solid. Then try that entrance feeder with very weak sugar solution, once they start, and you will see that they need water, water and more water.
I cannot guarantee what the weather holds for us, but it is most likely to warm up after this week. Yes, half way through March. Four years ago the OSR was in strong (but not quite full) bloom by the end of March. That does not look likely this season, but if one wants an OSR crop, then they need to start expanding.
Think, once the brood nest temperature rises to brooding conditions, your well insulated coverboards will be warm enough for liquid feed - if one thinks carefully how best to do it. Frame feeders will be near the brood nest. Anyting will be as warm or handier, for the bees than having to go foraging for water (unless the water supply is in a sunny position and preferably dark in colour.
No, I don't think fondant is best, at this time, for anything much more than starvation prevention. And damp granulated sugar would do for that, in an emergency.
Fondant is OK for starvation prevention, but.....
11% water is NBG for feeding larvae - think here of what water content larvae might be?
Think of what the bees will be out and collecting if the weather is warm enough? That is right - water and pollen!
Think how long these winter bees are going to have to survive, if brooding has started and ceases, before they are replaced by sufficient new bees to avoid colony dwindling.
Think how long the colony will take to expand to a force strong enough to collect surplus nectar. Yes, that is right, at least a couple of brood cycles - yes, over six weeks.
Try an entrance feeder with 1:1 syrup and just see which they will take - liquid or solid. Then try that entrance feeder with very weak sugar solution, once they start, and you will see that they need water, water and more water.
I cannot guarantee what the weather holds for us, but it is most likely to warm up after this week. Yes, half way through March. Four years ago the OSR was in strong (but not quite full) bloom by the end of March. That does not look likely this season, but if one wants an OSR crop, then they need to start expanding.
Think, once the brood nest temperature rises to brooding conditions, your well insulated coverboards will be warm enough for liquid feed - if one thinks carefully how best to do it. Frame feeders will be near the brood nest. Anyting will be as warm or handier, for the bees than having to go foraging for water (unless the water supply is in a sunny position and preferably dark in colour.
No, I don't think fondant is best, at this time, for anything much more than starvation prevention. And damp granulated sugar would do for that, in an emergency.
