There is a new technology for beekeeping in 2017.
It is the the Flow Hive, designed in Australia, it is an automated, plastic beehive which has a tap which can be turned to harvest your honey without going through the fuss of taking care of your hive.
First watch their launch video
Very awesome! Even just for the concept and presentation.
This introduction video has raised a lot of awareness worldwide, because of this Flow Hive is one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in history, raising over $10 million.
We Should Enjoy Beekeeping
It is truly an art which makes you feel good about your work.
Through being a beekeeper you are helping spread pollen and subsequently, helping the environment!
Beekeeping is a labor of love, requiring attention and a focus on understanding your bees.
Many beekeepers see this as a positive.
They will not look at beekeeping as the fastest and easiest way to obtain the honey...
Not enough money in bee research
Bees have been dying off around the world for a decade now from a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. A third of the U.S. food supply depends on the honeybees. (LINK)
Maybe we should focus our time, money and effort towards keeping bees alive rather than creating a plastic box which keeps a small colony in your own home?
An answer to the wrong question?
I feel as if Flow Hive wants to solve a problem which is quite irrelevant.
This is because the honey harvesting process is complex.
If you wanted to get the fastest honey possible without any guarantee to quality you would be interested in Flow Hive!
If you care for quality, organic honey which was made naturally do not buy!
Flow Frame
The core ingenuity behind the Flow Hive is the fascinating frame, included with is a plastic foundation with partially-formed cells that can be opened with the turn of a knob.
The process goes as follows:
- Your bees complete the cells with beeswax
- They then fill the cells with honey
- Next they cap the cells (place a thin layer of wax on top to retain the honey)
- At the time you want your honey, you insert a key into the Flow Frame and turn it to open the cells, allowing the honey - to flow downwards, by gravity
- After you have collected your honey in jars you turn the key back and your bees get back to work again
There is a transparent window where you can watch the entire process, below is a well produced video visualizing the process.
Benefits of this technology
It's damn cool for a start! The big selling point is the sight of a beekeeper simply turning a key and watch the beautiful honey drizzle down majestically.
The Issues with the Flow Hive
It has a plastic foundation
The most important question a beekeeper must make before creating their hive is whether or not to use foundation.
When creating a standard beehive, many chose to not create a foundation, which allows nature to do it's thing as much as possible.
Why is letting the bees create their own foundation important?
Because different bees have different needs.
For example, drone cells are larger than worker cells. Left to their own devices, bees just do whatever is necessary. When we use frames with foundation, we effectively make this decision for the bees. (LINK)
This limits the bees and they are forced to compromise...
Many would also argue that the plastic foundations may contaminate the honey because the wax cells play a part in "ageing the honey".
My Thoughts
I do not think the Flow Hive is a great idea, I propose we keep our more traditional ways of beekeeping!
Should we put every animal which plays a role in nature in a plastic box, no? I guess we shouldn't do that with bees then.
If you decide to start beekeeeping for yourself, remember that a full Flow Hive costs around $1000 and a starter kit using more traditional methods will be between $300-$400.
Stay on STEEM and keep BUZZING!
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Who is @Chron?
@chron is a 16 year old robot-headed Steemer, currently based in Bali, Indonesia.
I am currently working in association with @samstonehill on the following projects:
@steemmasters which provides FREE TUTORIALS, personal training & resteeming services. Website HERE.
@charitysteemit which has successfully donated solar kits to the volcano evacuess through the power of Steem! Check out our video where we hand out the kits HERE.
A member of the Steemit Bloggers Community, heading the CHARITY Q&A. Join us on Discord, we don't bite.
Avid graphic designer, if you want a Gif like above made by me or a banner like below contact @chron on Steemit.chat (we can discuss rates there).
Here is a list of Steemit Witness I have voted for & recommend you do the same:
@teamsteem @timcliff @jesta @good-karma @someguy123 @blocktrades @pfunk @klye @krnel @blueorgy @ausbitbank, @pharesim & @thecryptodrive
Without them our beautiful decentralized platform would sink!
Learn what this means HERE and place your vote HERE.
I am currently working in association with @samstonehill on the following projects:
@steemmasters which provides FREE TUTORIALS, personal training & resteeming services. Website HERE.
@charitysteemit which has successfully donated solar kits to the volcano evacuess through the power of Steem! Check out our video where we hand out the kits HERE.
A member of the Steemit Bloggers Community, heading the CHARITY Q&A. Join us on Discord, we don't bite.
Avid graphic designer, if you want a Gif like above made by me or a banner like below contact @chron on Steemit.chat (we can discuss rates there).
Here is a list of Steemit Witness I have voted for & recommend you do the same:
@teamsteem @timcliff @jesta @good-karma @someguy123 @blocktrades @pfunk @klye @krnel @blueorgy @ausbitbank, @pharesim & @thecryptodrive
Without them our beautiful decentralized platform would sink!
Learn what this means HERE and place your vote HERE.