Bees/v; Development Journal 79
CHINA
HONEY FLOWS UPWARDS ACROSS CHIN
Jin Tang-Dong, Cixi Beekeeping Association,
Zhejiang Province, China
prefers to maintain two queens in a hive bottom box, as this can enable rapid growth of the honeybee population. The two queens are in two compartments, separated by a board in the middle of the bottom box.
Simultaneously, a soft, nutritious patty made from pollen (collected from tea tree flowers), honey, effective microbes and water are placed on the top-bar of the frame to stimulate the colony's build-up. middle of February, the newly emerged bees are old enough for outside work when the greengage trees on nearby hills are in bloom. The greengage flowers are very captivating and attractive for the bees. in the
Although they cannot produce a surplus of honey, they provide the basis for the year's haney flow. By the middle of March, Miao's colonies have become stronger and the first super is added on to the bottom box, separated by a queen excluder. At this time, bees from both areas of the bottom box work
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PHOTOS
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LOU JIAN NENG
together in the super. Soon the colonies are reaching their maximum strength. Miao will then determine when it is time to leave for the next
eine Bisp
Mr Miao has been beekeeping for 38 years
The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, originates from the western-most Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and eventually flows down into the East China Sea. However, the other way around, there is a buzzing flow of honey across China, which starts on the coast of the East China Sea,
horizontally traverses the mainland of China, and ends on the Plateau, with a journey 3,450 km long and 3,500 m in altitude. For beekeeper Miao and his bees, the theory of 'upward honey flow’ is ingrained. Year
station of the honey flow.
Honey flows
China's climate is hot and humid in the south-eastern areas, but becomes cooler and drier toward the north-west. There is a great biological diversity over 10,000 varieties of flowering plants that are utilised by bees. The honey flow moves with the blooming of nectar plants in a north-west direction. Around 20th March, Miao and his bees leave the greengage location, cross the Yangtze River and arrive in Wuhu of Anhui Province. Miao sets up his tent and solar equipment near the north bank of the river and begins to live a nomadic life. The
climate here is suitable for agricultural crops. Brassica (rape) is the
after year, Miao has been pursuing this upward flow of honey for fun and profit.
The starting point Every year the honey flow available for Miao and his colonies starts at
home. This is the beginning of February, when the greengage trees
come into bloom. Miao's hometown lies in the north coastal part of Cixi City, Zhejiang Province. Cixi is named ‘The bee village of China’ and faces the East China
Sea. Miao has been successfully working with his bees for 38 years. He has a large operation of
220 colonies with 440 queens. Annually, from November to March, he conducts bee colony wintering and in spring rebuilds his apiary, located at the foot of a hill within a small distance of the town.
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Despite the outside temperature ranging from 0-15°C, Miao becomes busy with his colonies in early spring, to be ready in time for the honey flow from greengage. During the first 10 days of January, Miao sets free all the caged wintering queens to start developing colonies. Miao
and his bees arrive in Wuhu of Anhui Province. At this location. Miao harvests 15,000 kg of honey. In March, Miao
