Honey from the flow hive

General Bee Chat Mmm Honey
1

Hi Peeps. I extracted almost a half gallon of honey from my flow hive getting ready for winter. Most was capped, some was not. Because I don’t have a refractometer I worried about fermentation so I pasteurized the honey. Wow! It thickened it and brought out an intense flavor that is delicious! I put the honey in a stainless steel stock pot with a candy thermometer and heated it at 175 degrees for 30 minutes. It bubbled up and turned a rich dark color and then I let it cool off and skimmed the top and jarred it. I have to say both unfiltered and un-pasteurized are great and so is pasteurized. Glad I tried it! What the heck right? image|374x500

honey%20haravest
honey haravest.jpg720×960 206 KB

2 Likes
2

With you all the way.
I didn’t do anything with the dregs I took before putting the Flow super away for the Winter 2 years ago and that honey fermented and went really rancid in about 6 months. Had to throw it out.
By the way your pic didn’t work.

1 Like
3

Thanks I got the new Iphone 10x and wondered why? I think I did to high a quality. I’ll try again.

4

All good, the honey looks very pale. This before boiling up?
Edit: Just peaked at your profile…Corvette’s, Harley’s and I thought @Eva and @Dawn_SD were the racy ones

2 Likes
5

Racy? I have nothing on @Martha! :smile: I still want to see a photo of her on a boat with her loins girded up - she said she would… :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

1 Like
6

I’m shy! But next summer I might get over it!

1 Like
7

Shy? Shy??? But your profile says “outgoing”! You want to know shy, you should see me at a party… :thinking: :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: Anyhow, I look forward to the photo demonstrating how to do it. :blush:

1 Like
8

Yes after the treatment it was brandy colored.

1 Like
9

Ok ok I’m really not that shy but one day I’ll do it

2 Likes
10

As always, I am full of admiration for the things you try, @Martha. You persist and your outlook is so positive, I just love it. :heart_eyes:

2 Likes
11

Thanks! I try all the stuff y’all suggest if it benefits the bees and honey. I love the forum too! :grinning: You’re especially helpful too.

2 Likes
12

I think I would like to see the video with @Martha , @Dawn_SD and our @Eva singing “On the Good Ship Lolly Pop…” That in deed would be a sight to behold. :star_struck::star_struck:

4 Likes
13

In your dreams, Wilfie, in your dreams… :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :rofl:

4 Likes
14

@Martha @Eva @Dawn_SD And doing it in a ‘can can’ style of dance. Now that we would all like to see from you girls :sunglasses::thinking::heart_eyes::face_with_raised_eyebrow:

1 Like
15

My flow hive 2 has shipped! I’m doing a can can @Peter48 @Eva @Dawn_SD :dancing_men::dancing_men::dancing_men::man_dancing:t5::dancer: :raised_hands::notes::grinning:

3 Likes
16

I am doing a can’t can’t and won’t :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :smiling_imp: :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

4 Likes
17

Why am I thinking there won’t be a video :grin:
Have fun on assembling the Flow Hive and getting it all set up for your girls.
@Dawn_SD can’t you kick your feet to shoulder height? I’m sure you could could if you tried tried. :hugs:
Regards

1 Like
18

Do you know what the winged disease is called? Is there a treatment for it? A friend of mine in CA has it in her hive. Ild like to forward her some information.

I’ll check out other parts of the forum too.

By the way, is pasteurizing the honey effective on preventing fermentation?

My hive arrives today by the end of the day. Whoop!

2 Likes
19

There are two main ones, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and K-wing.
https://beeinformed.org/2012/11/01/whats-wrong-with-my-hive/

DWV is much more common, but it can’t be treated, only prevented. It is caused by Varroa weakening the bees so that they can’t fight the virus. The only thing to do is treat the Varroa, and if you have DWV, you need to treat right now! If not, something like 90% of hives will die within 6 months. If she hasn’t treated for Varroa, this would be my top concern.

K-wing is a bit different and has a number of causes, including Nosema and tracheal mites. Nosema can be treated with thymol syrup. Tracheal mites probably get killed by Varroa treatments, but many experts recommend grease patties.

If she can send a photo of affected bees, we can help work out which it might be.

No idea, I have never tried it myself. It should help, but it will depend on the heat tolerance of the fermenting organisms, and also whether the honey gets re-exposed to the fermenting yeasts after opening it. After all, pasteurization only kills what is already in it. It doesn’t fix the water content problem. If more yeast drifts into it from the atmosphere when it is sitting open on the breakfast table, it could start fermenting again. :blush:

Would love to see photos when you have it built. :wink:

2 Likes
20

Great to get the news and your excitement is infectious.
Cheers