Beehives

Provincial living: homesteading, farming, gardening, self-efficiency and animal husbandry.
OrangeDragon
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Re: Beehives

Post by OrangeDragon »

Well, making a sustainable (even if seasonal) income option for villagers seems pretty worthwhile. Tons of seasonal products all over the world are still considered commercially viable business options.
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frank lee bent
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Re: Beehives

Post by frank lee bent »

I agree with that 100%.

Also, I believe the culture of A.mellifera has good potential for Cambodia.

I had a small ( 40 hives ) stationary apiary in North Queensland in similar climate for over 10 years that produced worthwhile quantities.
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Re: Beehives

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But the question would then come to "does the price justify the costs?"

Importing bees is expensive and breeding new queens here would be pretty hard to teach to locals, so likely would never really take off. Also, constructed hives with inserts cost significantly more than sticking some poles in the ground as they do for the raftering.

Growing up we had about 20-30 active hives on our farm, depending on the year. Rented about half of them out every year to a couple of nearby peach orchards.
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frank lee bent
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Re: Beehives

Post by frank lee bent »

the woodware is dirt cheap in VN.

working hive with bees is abt $25 for a double.

queen rearing is pretty easy with a jenter kit and a spreadsheet.
hehe- i have looked into it and may bring a few in eventually.

the varroa is the main problem.
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Re: Beehives

Post by Sailorman »

I hope they get their bee/honey production going, I'm ready anytime to make me some Mead.
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Re: Beehives

Post by OrangeDragon »

frank lee bent wrote: the varroa is the main problem.
we are in the cradle of their origin...
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frank lee bent
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Re: Beehives

Post by frank lee bent »

yep, and the local bees are more resistant than mellifera.
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Re: Beehives

Post by OrangeDragon »

little research shows they're pretty close to a decent solution for them... strips that the bees go through to go in which dose them with medicine.
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frank lee bent
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Re: Beehives

Post by frank lee bent »

also a lot of work going into breeding strains that exhibit a high degree of hygienic behavior.
varroa can be controlled now.
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