Here is my 3 colony double deep hive in 30C+. Lots of bees chilling out on the front.
The Buckfast bees seem to make some beautiful comb honey.
Hello,
thanks for the update- I am very keen to see how this hive goes over time. Seems to be doing very well so far. Amazing to think you have 3 queens there working overtime. Inspections will be a huge task.
please let me know how your octagonal hive progresses too.
love your work.
I think you mean hexagonal hive…
Or Cathedral hive. 
Do you sell these frames? Or the parts to make these frames? I’m interested in very deep hives. This looks like a great idea. Thanks for the Post!
Too much moisture, and the varroa Mite are problems in the Pacific Northwest. I love beekeeping, but I’ve had several setbacks. I’d have to be able to treat I’d have to be able to the bees with oxalic acid in these deep hives. But I think this would be a very good overwintering design as the bees could move up to their honey supplies very easily. Thanks for the information!
I don’t sell parts, not enough time with my ongoing list of projects to manufacture anything for others!
Currently I’m making 6 more full langstroth setups including screened bottom boards, slatted racks, 10 frame deep boxes, shallow comb honey supers, inner covers, and outer covers. In addition I’ve started 4 more AZ hives.
Your certainly welcome to the plans if you like.
I’m not sure yet how successful my design is going to be. I lost the colony overwinter last year. This year it went into winter with 3 very strong colonies, hopefully the shared heat will help.
For treatments I used MAQs. You could add screened bottom to this design, or larger opening in order to treat with Oxalic vapour.
Wow!!!
I’m speechless! I have been mulling over a similar idea for a while now for when I buy the acreage we are hoping to real soon. Awesome to see someone who thinks like me! Either I’m not mad, or we both are LOL.
Cheers, Ian
I love your hive! Were they able to survive the winter 2019-2020? Are you willing to share your plans?
Unfortunately they did not survive; I have not repopulated them yet; hopefully this spring.
Do you suspect why they didn’t survive? I’m just curious whether it was just this colony or was it a harsh winter where you were or some other reason?
Not sure the cause; it was a very long winter with a lot of beekeepers in the area experiencing 50% loss or more. I believe that winter started with a foot of snow in November and was still snowing in April for over 10 feet that season. Throughout Dec thru Feb I don’t believe there were any days warm enough for cleansing flights. There was definitely signs of dysentery in the hive.
Thanks for replying with the information you had. I am always amazed at the resilience of beekeepers in cold climates with multiple pests and diseases to contend with on top.
Adam
