254. Christmas cake for the bees . . .

Well, not exactly Christmas cake. Just the marzipan or to be precise, baker's fondant which is very similar.

Baker's fondant is made from sugar, water and a little glucose to keep it supple. It is a white sticky block very similar in feel to marzipan. The bees can take it up very easily, more easily than sugar solution and it is fed to to the bees in times of emergency - when the bees need energy very quickly.

Like now. The bees, like the daffodils down South, are confused at the moment with the warm weather (aren't we all) and they keep leaving the hive to see if spring has arrived.

But spring has not arrived, and they return to the hive knackered and without any pollen or nectar to sustain them.

Hence, I am feeding them fondant.




The pictures show a slab I put in a week ago. They have eaten their way up through it and are wondering where the icing and the decorations are.

They are, however, still alive!

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