Image above: Where does the flower begin and the bee end? In pollen...
Feeding honeybees during a cold hard winter can be vital to their survival. Even a mild winter can suddenly deliver a blast of Arctic air that can endanger the lives in your hives.
We post a recipe on Wednesdays, so this week we're posting two video versions of a recipe for your bees. These slightly different approaches used by two beekeepers use UltraBee Pollen substitute to make pollen patties rich in protein, so bees can start to raise brood.
JASON CHRISMAN's March 2019 video is 15:29-minutes long and well worth watching as he takes you step-by-step through his process in his kitchen when a late cold snap brought frigid weather to his area.
POLLEN PATTIES: 1 POUND RECIPE
0.65 pounds hot water
1.6 pounds sugar
2.5 teaspoons vegetable oil
1-pound dry pollen substitute
½ cap of apple cider vinegar
For a bigger batch, multiply each 1-pound amount by the # of pounds of dry pollen sub.
So 3 pounds of dry pollen sub would require: 1.95 pounds of hot water, 4.8 pounds of sugar, 7.5 teaspoons of vegetable oil, 3 pounds dry pollen substitute and 1.5 caps of apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar stops black mold spores from growing and extends the life of the pollen patties. Stir ACV into the vegetable oil so you don't forget to add it.
Mix pollen substitute and sugar using your hands to break up any clumps. Add water, vegetable oil and apple cider vinegar, and be prepared for a messy mix. Once you are satisfied with the moist, sticky consistency, clean your hands, get out the wax paper, and tear off 1-foot strips.
Use a spatula to put a big glob of the mixture on half of a sheet of wax paper. Fold the wax paper over top and flatten it with your hands since you are placing it on top of your frames, or use a rolling pin if your hands aren’t strong enough.
KAMON REYNOLDS shows us an easy way to mix pollen patties using a kitchen appliance in his 1:30-minute video.
Kamon's recipe yields 5.25 pounds of pollen patties.
2.6 lbs sugar
1 pound of boiling hot water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1.7 lb UltraBee pollen substitute
Add sugar and HOT water to a mixing bowl and then add oil. As it slowly starts to mix add the pollen substitute a little at a time. Mix well and store the sub in an airtight container to make patties as needed but don't save for more than a week. Or make up individual patties in wax paper and freeze them. This recipe works all year round, not just in the winter.
BEEing a chef for your bees brings sweet rewards! They will thank you with a bountiful honey harvest!