[Ken Dexter]

Hello everyone. Ken here from the land of sugar, in other words, Sugar Land. The town is about 20 miles just southwest of Houston. I will be starting the hobby of beekeeping this spring when I move the bees fro my house to their new home on my property. It's a nice place on the San Bernard River and nothing but farm land all arond. The bees will love their new home and hopefully, thrive. One question, should I start with just one hive or two? I believe there are two different groups in my house. I will know more this situation in the spring.

Enjoy yourselves and I am sure you all will be hearing alot from me!

Ken Dexter

 

[LtlWilli]

...and a big HOWDY back atcha, Ken. There are times when I wished nearer the big water, but not so close as to have to keep up with hurricane alerts. I would recommend getting two hives, because, like with Lays Potato Chips, just one won't do. It really won't ( SIGH )...There are a great many good choices out there to choose from. You will enjoy pondering all the varieties available, then, soon you'll realize that you want them all!! :lol:
Glad to have you here, and feel free to jump in with us other bee addicts.
Regards,
Rick~ Ltl Willi

 

[Ken Dexter]

Greetings LtlWilli:

Thanks my friend! My thoughts were 2 hives and just keep adding. However, I really don't want to get overloaded. Neglect isn’t in my vocabulary and I really want to do this correctly from the get-go. Anything you can recommend would be appreciated!

Again, thanks and have a great one.

Ken Dexter

 

[LtlWilli]

I am still learning myself, but I'll be glad to interject my thoughts. ...You can call your local Ag Extension Agent to find out what other keepers are using. He is probably gonna say Italian, Minnesota Hygenics(which are refined Italians),Carniolans or New World Carniolans--all of which are all-around good. All of them work well, but your climate there might just make one slightly better than the others...I intend to get Carniolan or New Worlds next year, and possibly more Russians. I have not harvested them yet , so I dunno. I am waiting for the end of the Fall nectar flow on them.
Gotta haul my skinny butt for a while...Take care, guy.
Regards,
Rick

 

[Iddee]

Within 2 years, they are going to requeen themselves from 1 to 4 times, with each new queen mating with numerous drones. You will have local mutts within that time. It is cheaper and better just to start with local mutts that are adapted to your climate.

I never buy queens.

 

[LtlWilli]

It is ironic that I can totally agree with Bee Catcher's assesment of how the DNA will play out, and still find myself willing to go the other route. While it is true that the initial high-dollar queen might take off with a swarm next spring, it is not certain, especially if she has plenty of brood space left. Either way, her many drones will be spreading good DNA around all the while, thus improving the quality of the mutts in question. Lastly, who's to say, but that these suposed mutts are a swarm from another respectable hive. You never know.