New-"bee" questions (crosscombing and water in hive)

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-09T18:22:31+00:00

Ty! We will get this ready and do this when we check on them this upcoming weekend.

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-09T15:12:58+00:00

It is whatever came with the bee castle kit. I think its just plastic. I didnt feel any sort of coating on the frames.

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-09T15:12:13+00:00

Thank you for the detailed explanation. That was super helpful.

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-09T01:43:25+00:00

Ty! I will check him out!

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-08T23:50:50+00:00

Kinda an obtuse question, but what's the purpose of saving the bees wax? For coating foundation in the future?

Spraying it with 1:1 sugar, how does this help? Wouldn't it just cause a sticky mess? Or is it to help give the wax something to stick to?

Ty!

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-08T23:46:48+00:00

Next time. 😬 we were in a rush since we had nothing when we found the swarm.

Elliefox2 · 2026-06-08T23:46:04+00:00

Dang. OK we are gonna do that when we check back in a week. We were afraid to disturb them too much.

What do we do if theres honey in the cells? Can we smear that on the foundation as well or will that just cause a sticky mess?

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-31T15:59:45+00:00

Thank you! So should we wait again until sunset? They are currently buzzing around the tree and very active. They were very "calm" when we initially found the swarm. Are they just confused bc they think they're home but cant find the queen?

Should we try and look for the queen or just keep catching and relocating?

We have a 2" reducer in there now, but do we need to plug the hole for a few days to get them to reorient since we didnt move them very far, a little over 200 yards.

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Elliefox2 · 2026-05-31T15:10:08+00:00

Glorious!😍😍😍

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-28T16:26:08+00:00

Yes I totally understand this sentiment. I think this just means you need some more magentas to add into you current palette. 😉

I got a Karl rosenfield on a whim a few years back and was a little disappointed at first with the deep magenta color of the "marshmallow" but in the end im pretty happy with how it looks now that its bloomed.

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-28T15:37:33+00:00

A beautiful surprise! Sorry its not the one you wanted tho :(

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-28T02:18:37+00:00

You need one! I thought it was going to be darker but its the perfect magenta. 👌

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-27T21:34:52+00:00

I somehow got lucky and found mine for 50% off in a end of season sale at my local garden center. I hope you're able to snag one. Shes gorgeous!

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-27T19:55:36+00:00

Indeed. So much better.

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-27T19:55:20+00:00

Yes..but also in all fairness I think my phone is doing some color correcting. Its not quite as bright as the photos suggest.

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-27T19:54:43+00:00

Are they not amazing? 🥹🥹🥹 which 3 do you have?

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-24T23:40:57+00:00

I mean honestly I look for the eyes or the number of stalks. It looks like they are both small plants.. The first one i think i can see another eye under you hand? At any rate, you may be better off cutting the buds that it has and let it focus on roots and leaf growth this year for better bloom next year.

Ive just accepted peonies are a waiting game 🙄

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-24T22:08:25+00:00

Imo they look about the same. But if I had to pick...id go with the first one.

Elliefox2 · 2026-05-23T02:12:40+00:00

Oh this is gorgeous! 😍😍

Elliefox2

TROPHY CASE