|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common Questions About Using The Firman Pollen Insert |
1. Which strength pollen should be used with the insert? Use only regular strength pollen. Pollens mixed with carrier are intended for air application only--not with beehive inserts. 2. How many inserts should be used per acre? Use one per acre, and place them on the strongest hives if there seems to be a difference in hive strength. 3. When should the inserts be placed on the hives? They should be placed on the hives a day or two ahead of the day that you expect to make the first application of pollen so that the bees become accustomed to them; however advanced placement is not essential because the insert is such a minor restriction. Regardless of the day of placement, the insert should be placed on the hive when bee flight is minimal--either late in the day when most flight has ceased or early in the morning before it has begun. 4. How much pollen should be used per acre? For apples, cherries, pears,and plums, a minimum of forty grams of regular strength pollen per acre is recommended. For almonds a minimum of fifty grams per acre is recommended. The use of larger amounts can be expected to produce a greater fruit set. 5. When are the trees ready for pollen? Trees bloom over an extended period of time. Because of this, pollen should be applied on two different days. Use 1/2 of the recommended amount of pollen on the day that the trees are at 15% to 25% bloom. Apply the remaining 1/2 on the day that the trees are at 40% to 60% bloom. Depending on the weather, the application days may be one after the other, or there may be a day or two in between. During very cool weather the application days may be three or more days apart. It is very important to get an ample amount of pollen into the hives on the application days. We recommend that a minimum of 20 grams be applied on each application day. If bee flight is so poor that this amount is not carried out, then dusting applications should be used. 6. When should the pollen be placed in the insert? The pollen should be placed in the insert only when there is strong bee activity--100 or more bees per minute entering and leaving the hive. This activity level will occur at temperatures around 60 degrees F. If there is little or no bee activity, the pollen will not be spread and will be wasted. 7. How much pollen should be placed in each insert each time? One well-rounded but not heaping teaspoon of pollen should be placed in each insert each time. This amounts to approximately five grams of pollen. Some of each teaspoon should be sprinkled along the narrow strip on top of the insert so that the bees that leave the hive in an upside down position will pick up that pollen as they leave the hive. Most of the teaspoon should be spread along the ramp sloping into the entrance of the hive. 8. How often should pollen be added to the insert? As soon as the bees have removed all or almost all of each rounded teaspoon of pollen, add an additional teaspoon of pollen. The time between applications is determined by the bee activity. With strong bee activity the pollen will be gone in less than fifteen minutes. 9. How much time will it take each day to cover my acreage? The pollination process is quite fast. The pollen application works in a circle. Beginning at the first bee drop, add a teaspoon to each insert, go to the second bee drop and add a teaspoon to each of those inserts, continue this process until each bee drop has been visited, return to the first hives and repeat the procedure until the days application is completed. On larger acreages more than one person should be used to load the inserts. 10. Should special clothing be worn during the application? Yes. A beekeeper hat, veil, and gloves should be worn during applications for protection against bee stings. Heavy, loose fitting clothing should also be worn. Bee stings are uncommon but they may occur. Work from the side of the beehive whenever possible, doing so will keep you out of the bee's flight path. We can provide the hat, veil and gloves to you at our cost. |
|
WITH ANY QUESTIONS CALL OUR TOLL FREE "HELP-LINE" 1-800-322-8852 |
|
For specifics on pollen application check out the listed instructions:
| ||
| Power Duster Instructions | Beehive Inserts | |
| Pollination by hand | ||
|
[Home] [Quality] [Products] [Application] [Pricing] Copyright © 1999 Firman Pollen Co.Site Design & Maintenance by Incommand Interactive. |
||