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Author Topic: Salutations Grand Readers !  (Read 2316 times)

Offline M3RLIN

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Salutations Grand Readers !
« on: August 19, 2017, 01:18:35 am »
Hi Beeks,

My name is Neil. I keep my bees in the drier country of the Atherton Tablelands. They thrive really well. I have found the bigger golden fuzzy ones are A+ honey makers. I have 12 double langstroth's at moment but plan on building that to 50 by November this year. I figured I'm gonna have an excess of queens this year now I've mastered my Nicot kit. So I'm happy to zap a few by mail to interested members down the track if they wanna mix up their Apis  :cool: .
I also am a bit confused on whether people want virgin or mated queens ? I can't find much info about this.
I also wonder about the interest in bee venom and propolis I.e who even uses it ?

A bit off topic I'm wondering if anyone knows where to get some cuttings of lemon scented tea tree ?
It apparently grows wild around here and has Manuka qualities, but I prolly have walked past one 543 times and not known.

Anyways, nice to meet you all.

Peace.

Offline eltalia

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2017, 10:17:05 am »
Yeah G'day back, Neil. There being not so many Aussies too vocal
around these forums another is most welcome ;-)

To what I can do for your questions?

Queens;
Most demand is for laying queens, so factor that in to your setup maybe.
Fellas as meself will play with virgins just for genetic diversity like but
we are a rare mob, an' that like :-)
One tip is; if you are going to supply differing lines then you'll need to
be able to guarantee consistency. BKs buying batches get a tad annoyed
when the product lays colonies of varying performance.

Propolis and bee venom;
There is a niche market for propolis amongst the crafters, particularly
indigenous artista. Nobody I have heard of is into venom, but that means
little in a big Country!

Manuka;
Your're aware this 'product' is simply a mix of compunds found by bees in
many a forage of our woodlands, yeah?
For mine the whole marketing thing is somewhat of a scam but every man
and his dog is "into it". I could only offer, once again, test and be consistent.
FWIW... if there is still chonky (chinki) apple stands out past Dimbulah you
would do just as well on those and marketing it as:
"Aged Asian Herbal Honey (aphrodisiac)".
               :chuckles:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/12/honey-trap-new-zealand-devises-manuka-test-to-fight-fakes

LMS trees;
Just down the road from you is Yuruga nursery (Walkamin?).
Carn't say of late, but not so long back they did fantastic bizness with me.
I believe they ran into some woes and are now reopened under new managment
 - http://yuruga.com.au -.
Give them a ring, I am sure they would have both, or would get them for you at
a fair rate.
corymbia citrodora lemon scented gum
leptospermum petersonii lemon scented teatree

Then again if your are bit handy with green things - as many a BK is -
there is the marcotting option, a way forward that would give you a substantial
grove within two years, and flowering.when seasons are on the money.
Having been "at it" for more than a decade now I highly recommend developing
your own method. I still buy in trees but usually only if I cannot drive to 'em.
Bee aware DERM frown on the activity, and so sometimes one has to be more than
a little discreet. :grins:

So, pull up a chair and join in ;-)


Bill

pssst.. none 'ere 'speak' FNQ lingo so playing it straight is sound advice
 : tips hat:

Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2017, 06:42:14 am »
Welcome to Beemaster.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline M3RLIN

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2017, 08:10:39 am »
Haha hey thanks guys. Yuruga nursery why did I not think of that !

I watched my bees go absolutely mental for Thai basil the other day. They are literally drunk on the little purple flowers.

Maybe Thai herbal Manuka Aphrodisiac honey lol.

Any other Aussies on here ?

Offline eltalia

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2017, 10:24:03 am »

I watched my bees go absolutely mental for Thai basil the other day. They are literally drunk on the little purple flowers.


: nods:

Basil is a well kept secret as "bee bait"... having pots of last year's issue looking more than a tad sad I have just done potting up a dozen more for this year - that and putting the Oleo-mac to some fresh logs (swarm traps) earnt me a few cold Great Northerns under a sailor's sunset!

There are Aussies reading here, not so many posting these days.

'ooroo

Bill




Offline M3RLIN

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2017, 10:45:20 am »
Hmmmm. I'm thinking about growing hundreds around the hives. Maybe just maybe it will prevent absconding behaviour. Is there some plant that small hive beetle and wax moth hate but bees love ?

Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2017, 01:53:03 pm »
It will take acres of them to feed your bees.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline eltalia

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Re: Salutations Grand Readers !
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2017, 10:49:19 pm »
It will take acres of them to feed your bees.
Jim
Thanks Jim..I cannot speak for Neil but my use is not for feed.
In fact I think I have said before, whilst I recognise you guys have to I
don't, and never have, as my commercial experience was wholly migratory.
In retirement - and intending to hold a half dozen long Langs -  it may happen
I  have to look at feeding.
Fingers crossed it does not come to that as whilst I remain empathetic for the
pain others endure I am coming to think many a hobbyist NH BK is maybe better off
rethinking the whole hive structure thing, and not feeding.
http://horizontalhive.com/gallery-video-picture/natural-beekeeping-videos.shtml
One of your own has an interesting POV on this...makes sense to me but maybe highly
impractical for those stretching a hobby into psuedo commercial directions.

Cheers.


Bill

 

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