A Month in the Apiary - March

by Nick Pendleton, Woodside Farm

Well, the February storms did me no favours at all. One hive was blown over, but the bees miraculously survived. Sadly, two other hives were not so fortunate, and the bees perished. These two hives have been removed from the Apiary to prevent robbing by other bees from adjacent living hives, and to prevent the transfer of any disease that might be present between the hives.

The weather is now starting to change and becoming more Spring-like every day. Mouse and woodpecker guards have been removed and damage from the recent storms (mostly from fallen branches) repaired. Hive entrances have been checked and cleared where they have been clogged up with dead bees. This will allow the remaining bees to exit the hive on cleansing flights when the weather allows.

All the hives must be examined for streaks down the front. This would indicate Nosema (bee Dysentery – a microsporidian). It is still too cold to have a look inside the hive, a sudden cold shock like that would allow the brood to chill and the larvae would perish. The temperature would have to be above 15C before I would consider opening the hive, and then it would only be to check that the colony was building up as it ought. A quick ‘Heff’ on the side of the hive will tell me how heavy it is and whether I need to provide additional fondant for feed. It is still too early to feed syrup, being too cold. It could still freeze in a cold snap. Additionally, it is a stimulant for the Queen to start laying. It is still too early.

Back home all the frames have now been prepared for the brood boxes as well as for the supers, where the honey is stored.

And finally...the plant of the month is Crocus Vernus. Crocuses appear in a variety of colours (yellows and purple mainly) and are an excellent source of pollen. There are almost ninety species of crocus and in Sussex C. Vernus is the most prolific in the Spring. In Autumn C. Sativus is more common and it is from this that the world’s most expensive spice is obtained.

In Greek mythology there is a story of a callow youth, Crocus, who apparently fell in love with a nymph, Smilax. Unfortunately, once he had had his way he left her, thereby inviting the wrath of the Gods, who turned him into a plant.

The question is, which males in Fletching remind you of or display plant-like characteristics!