The Quack Shack

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Around here varroa pressure is quite high; the most gentle approaches such as the sugar one you're using are not sufficient. The vets were even not impressed when I decided to go organic-only (gotta use the really heavy duty synthetic stuff!) but so far (8 years I think) it seems to be working. We do have other problems that may be a show stopper such as the new weather patterns... We'll see.

Both organic acids are found naturally in honey (of couse in lower concentrations) so if there are some leftovers at the time when we collect honey, it's not a foreign element and does not really change the nutrition profile. I apply formic as slow-release several times over the warm part of the year and oxalic as a sugar drip in late December, any day now. Vaporized oxalic seemed to me potentially problematic even for humans.

Sun today, ducks exploring the outer part of the orchard. They really blend in well.

View attachment 3710647

Yes, natural acids, more or less, but i don't like to work with them. And the bees don't like'em too. So only if really, really necessary.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The (relatively) small, wild-growing one, amaranthus retroflexus, pigweed? It should be quite nutritious, not that far from its cultivated taller cousins. Maybe high in oxalates and thus problematic for larger animals (who can eat a lot of it)?

Look at what Google brought me...

University of Missouri says mallard ducks can move 882 million pigweed seeds each year. - https://www.agriculture.com/crops/just-ducky-pigweed-seeds-spread-by_135-ar51708

Nope! No Pigweed. That was eradicated by the dux!
I am talking about large plants, up to 3m tall with dark purple flowers in droves. The bees loved them, but they spread seeds like a pepper-sprayer.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Merry Christmas to Everybody!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I'm home sick. Caught a really nasty bug. Started out just as a sinus congestion, but then it moved down. I'm at the chest and gut point now. Pot of homemade soup is simmering away.

Get well soon! - I was diagnosed with Left Bundle Branch Block on Friday. That explains why i an getting more and more tired and exhausted since summer.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I hope both of you get better soon. I just got over covid but am finally feeling more normal again. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Get well soon! - I was diagnosed with Left Bundle Branch Block on Friday. That explains why i an getting more and more tired and exhausted since summer.

I had to look that up. I hope they have a way of helping you.

 

[Supercow]

I am talking about large plants, up to 3m tall with dark purple flowers in droves. The bees loved them, but they spread seeds like a pepper-sprayer.

But they grow wild?
... sounds like cultivated varieties ... leaves and seed both edible for people also.
Something like this?
https://www.nativeseeds.org/pages/hopi-red-dye-amaranth

 

[Supercow]

Get well soon! - I was diagnosed with Left Bundle Branch Block on Friday. That explains why i an getting more and more tired and exhausted since summer.

What on earth is that... Oh crap
It sounds nasty but not something that would outright kill you, correct?

 

[Supercow]

Get well everybody, come on, spring is near [in the north anyway], we can do this

 

[Canadian Wind]

Get well everybody, come on, spring is near [in the north anyway], we can do this

Spring is MONTHS away, and the worst of winter is yet to come. Not being pessimistic, just telling it like it is.

I can't wait for April...

Also, thanks for the wishes.