It probably seems like common sense, but it isn't.
To me it is long experience.
Here surplus comes in short bursts. The hive must be in good condition to hit.
I have two main yield plants and they are rape and fireweed.
The big hive have capasity to handle great amount of nectar. It needs several box where they put rippen the nectar.
The small hive cannot handle the yield. It will be stucked in few days and swarms.
If weathers are bad, neither small nor big hives get honey.
In my country there are small hives too, 2-4 boxes. I can calculate from outlook how much the hive can contain honey. To get one capped box honey the hive needs 3 supers.
If the hive has 6 boxed, it may contain 60 kg honey. Then I must take off and extract about 30 kg honey and give more empty boxes. Otherwise the hive will swarm or it stops working.
