From Our Readers

4/10/2006 - Emily

Good Afternoon,
I got you email from your website.  I need to purchase a chunk of pure beeswax about 2 to 3 cups size.  I make Ukrainian Easter Eggs using a batiking process with raw eggs, dyes and beeswax.  I haven't been able to find pure beeswax in large amounts.  Do you sell such?  and if so price per pound ?  Perhaps we can do a trade. Wax for eggs? 
Please advise.
Thanks you.
Emily Wasylkevych

• We sell beeswax one this page - sound like you need 2 to 3 lbs.
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/quikstore/search/misc-bulkwax.htm
  
  Bill
  

4/3/2006 - Nancy J.

I have many many allergies and fibromyalgia.  A nutrionist told me I should try honey directly from a bees farm and that it should help me with my allergies.  Could you tell me if youve ever heard of that and if so, what type should I try?  The raw or the natural?  I am very allergic to pollen, could the raw give me an allergic reaction?  I know you cant say for sure, but if you have any information I would be appreciative. 
 
Thank you - Nancy J.

• Many people consume raw honey produced from plants that grow in their area and report that it helps their allergies.   Comb honey is frequently eaten for allergies.  We are  temporarily out of comb honey until the summer but our 2.5 lb creamed/raw honey should do just as well.   Unless you have had a reaction to eating any other kind of honey it may not be a problem.
  
  Bill
  

Sun, 2 Apr 2006 - Jamlady

3/30/2006 - Erin

I am wondering if you  have any regular store hours.  I am in the south eastern part of Michigan (Oakland County) and would like to visit your store. 
 
Thank you, Erin

• We are not open until the fall (September thru mid October) and then only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  However you can order candles from our on line Candle Shop anytime.  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/candleshop.htm
  
  We are only about 1/2 hour north of you.
  
  Here is last years newsletter we mailed out (The Tattler) http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/articles/pdffiles/pdfindex.htm
  
  Bill & Pat
  

3/30/2006 - robertjs@peoplepc

When do you prune your vines, and do you allow the public to view this?

Thank you.

• We are pruning are vines this week.  Anyone can stop by this week to see us.  We have had from 15 to 20 youths here working.
  We prune out vines when the high school youths are out of school for spring break. Bill
  
  

3/28/2006 - Teresa

I noticed on your website that you grow Price grapes.  Could you tell me where I can buy vines?  Also, Lon Rombough says Price is hardy to -20, but one website I saw said only zone 6.  I am in zone 5 and it regularly gets down to -15-20.  What is your experience?
Thanks for your help,
Teresa

• Check the nurseries on this page:http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/links/partners19.htm
  
  I have not had bad winter damage with our Price.  We sometimes see -15 to  -20 but not all the time (that is pretty cold).  Price is a very nice early, very sweet grape for the concord market.  It is one of the earliest grapes to ripen in our vineyard.
  
  Good luck - Bill
  

3/24/2006 - Michael

Many thanks for your wonderful bee season pictorial. It is fantastic!
 
I am starting two new colonies this spring (late April) and would like your recomendation on what medications I should apply to the hives (and when).
 
Sincerely,
Michael Creegan
Far Hills, New Jersey

• Hello
  
  I would treat with Terramycin  for foulbrood and I use something similar to Apilife Var in the spring for varroa mites.
  
  Bill
  

3/23/2006 - Lillian Howe

How do I burn candles properly. My candles burn down the middle and do not use up the whole candle.I,d appreciate if you would be so kind as to tell me how. Thank you.
Lillian Howe

• What kind of candles are they?  Are they beeswax? Were they purchased from us?
  
  The wick for the pillar should be matched to the candle and burn near the edge without overflowing the sides.
  
  
• Another thought - You should also "hug" the candles.  After the pillars have burned a while and are warm, bend the top/sides in slightly toward the center so all of the wax is consumed.  Even a properly wicked candle may need "hugging". Click here for an article on "hugging"
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/newsletters/2006/spring/hugging.htm
  
  

3/19/2006 - Clover

Hi Bill;
 
Do you need any help with this year's pruning?  I see you are starting next week, March 27th.  I have not pruned grave vines before, but I am completing my master gardening class through the Lapeer County MSU Extension in a few weeks which included a class on pruning grape vines.  I also have a good deal of experience with general pruning and pruning methods.
 
I would love to help out and learn in the process, so I just thought I would ask!
 
:) Clover.

• We are actually starting to prune on Saturday the 25th and then thru the next week.  You can come out anytime we are there. Bill
  
  

3/20/2006 - Jerry

Hi Bill,
I just read your news letter and see your starting pruning of the grape vines on March 27. I live in sterling heights and would love to take a day off work and come help. I have no experence but i am a hard worker.
 
Can i come and help. Jerry Winget

• Jerry - We are also pruning on the Saturday before (the 25th) - you can come out anytime.
  
  Bill
  

3/18/2006

Do you sell.....grapes....juice.....or can a person come thear and  crush your grapes?     We love German, Zin,Blush,etc ...  How much juice....time....and whatever to fill my 50gl...          I can make the drive up there

• Download our 2005"Tattler" - the newsletter that is mailed to all our vineyard customers - complete with price lists.
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/articles/pdffiles/pdfindex.htm
  
  See you in the fall - Bill
  

3/18/2006 - Steve

I really enjoyed looking at your website.  I am getting ready to plant some "flame" seedless grapes on my property and I noticed on your website that you used grow tubes.  Can you tell me where I can get some?  I'm actually only going to start out with a few plants for personal use and see how that goes in the future.  I live on the west side of Fort Worth, TX. 
 
Thanks - Steve Kitchens

• get a lot of supplies from Orchard Valley Supply (see our page http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/links/partners23.htm)
  
  Also the nursery where you purchase them may also sell them (AA Vineyard also sells them http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/links/partners19.htm)
  
  Good luck - Bill
  
  

3/18/2006 - Laura

Recently I tried your recipe for honey bread.  Clearly, I did something wrong on the conversion from lbs. and pints to cups.  Could you please clarify how many cups of flour and sugar you use in the recipe.
 
I had a disaster.  It spewed all over my oven and set off every smoke alarm in my house!
 
Any help you can give would be appreciated.
 
Laura

• I am sorry you had a problem with the recipe.  You will have to experiment. I have never used it.  Most of the recipies are sent in from our readers.
  
  Bill
  

3/17/2006

Hi!
I visited your site on the internet and am interested in making beeswax votives using a wax melter (not aluminum).
Is this possible? And if so, what temperature do I set the wax melter at? What is the ideal temperature for pouring
the wax of the beeswax into the votive molds?

• I pour beeswax votives at about 185 degrees.
  
  

Also, I will be using the votive molds (standard- 1 3/4: diameter; the top; 1 1/2" diameter, the bottom; 1 15/16"
diameter the height). Which wick size would I order for this size candle? How many votives does a yard make? And how
many inches slould I cut the wick for the above standard votive mold?

• I use about 3 inches of wick and trim off the excess to 1/2 inch.
  
  

And I heard you are suppossed to predip the
wicks in wax, would I use beeswax?

• Yes
  
  

I will be using wick pins to fit the exact size of the votive canlde and once out of the mold, do I insert the wick attached to your metal wick tabs?

• You put the wick pins in the molds before you pour. After the votive is cooled, the pin can be tapped out and if the wick is stiff it can be inserted into the hole.
  
  

Also,I am told it is hard to release the beeswax from the metal candle molds. Is there any kind of wax release spray you
sell? Do I order this, or would it work if I just put peanut oil into a dispenser and use that?

• The candle supply houses use a mold releasing agent (silicon spray) which is usefull. Also helps to put the mold in a freezer and the candle will pop out.
  
  

Thank you for any help you can give me. I have never made beeswax votives before and want to succeed. I hope to hear
from you soon.
Lisa Rudolph

• Good luck - Bill
  

Pruning Vines, Floating Candles, 2 Gallon Pails of Honey, Frontenac, Volunteer Pruners, Crushinge & Pressing grapes, Bulk Wax, Organic honey.

3/10/2006 - Jo

I have to prune established vines I have inherited for the first time. Can you send/refer information to me as to how this is done.

Thank you

Jo DeBiasse

Here is a page showing how to prune vines.
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/grapeproject/grapeproject.htm

Bill

2/24/2006 - Francine

Hello, I just purchased some tea lites and votives and am wondering 
if you're also making floating candles?  Thank you, Francine McCully

• We have floating candles on this page:
  Floating Candles
  
  
  And our daughter has floaters on her site at:
  http://www.ho,neyflowfarm.com/candleshopcreations/floaters.html
  
  Thanks - Bill

2/20/2006 - Petra

I recently found your website doing a search for raw honey.  I wanted to buy it in bulk and wondered if your bulk honey was heated?  Also, is the $40 for the 2 gallon bucket still an accurate price and do you still have some available for sale?

I really liked your bee project.  It was very informative.

Thanks for your time, Petra

• This time of the year the 2 gallon pails are filled with honey that has been warmed and is now liquid - so it is not raw.  The only raw honey we have this time of the year is the 2.5 lb creamed honey.   2 gallon pails are still $40 and could be shipped although most people pick them up from our porch upon prior arrangements. Bill

WOW that was a really fast response.
I was really wanting raw honey and I really liked your price. 
Is it heated to a point that it is like the stuff in the stores or is it different?

• Our honey is heated only to 135 degrees - here is more info from a recent newsletter:
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/newsletters/2005/harvest/harvesthoney.htm#raw
  
  

2/17/2006 - Bruce

I will be out your way in September to purchase Frontenac. The only supplier that I have found does not have the quantities I need so I'm searching for a little more.  Can you let me know what you expect to have available this fall in Frontenac?

In April I will be planting over 200 vines myself but that puts me of course about 3 years away from a harvest.  In the mean time I'm trying to get used to making wine from Frontenac by buying from others.

Thank you,
Bruce Carlin

• Bruce
  
  We do have 3 rows of frontenac with their first crop on them this year - and you are welcome to them.  However, I have had this same conversation with others and when they ripen up they will be gone VERY quickly. You may want to consider also blending frontenac with other reds such as foch, baco or dechaunac.
  
  Bill

2/3/2006 - Jerry

The reason I am sending you this letter is I would love to volunteer to help out on vine trimming / planting or trills work this year. I was at your vineyard in the fall a picked about 100 pounds. Great wine. I am planting 3 acres starting this spring in Port Huron and I need all the experience I can get.
 
Thanks and have a great day.
 
Jerry Winget

• We will  be pruning vines starting on March 27 - you can join us any time you wish.  Bill

2/8/2006 - Daniel

Hi,
I was reading your information on making wine and it is very interesting. The picture on your web site where you are crushing the red grapes, are you using a hydraulic jack to crush the grapes into the barrel? It looks quite a simple operation but it is not very clear how you get the hydraulic jack to actually work its way down, would you like to share your secret as Im just starting to make my own wine at home and am interested in making a simple but affective grape crusher.
Best Regards
Daniel Phelan.  

• The grapes are crushed with a grape crusher - then transferred into the press.   The picture does not show the 10 ton hydraulic automobile jack that is used.  I have 12 inch long pieces of oak 2x4's used to fill up the space between my 24 inch wide press plate and the jack - which is pushing against the black piece of steel.  You can see how the pressing pressure has bent it over the years.  This old press is a homemade one built about 20 years ago.   The picture shows "free run" juice coming out before I put the jack on.
  
  Bill

2/8/2006 - Susan

Hello
 
I just finished perusing your website.  I love your candle dippers, and wonder if you sell them.  Your instructions were detailed, but would you consider selling them outright?
 
Also, do you ship large quantities of wax?  50 pounds or so?  And what would the cost be, if you do ship it?
 
Thank you for your kind response.
Susan O'Keefe

• We do not sell candle frames.
  
  Here is our bulk wax page - 50 lb is in the $4.00/lb range.
  Bulk Wax Page
  
  Just enter the amount and go only part way through the checkout and it will figure the shipping.
  
  Bill

2/5/2006 - Holly

Hello, my name is Holly and I have a question about your honey production in relation to it's organic properties.  I want to make and sell a product using organic foods and would like to know the difference between your honey and an "organic" honey supplier.  I would prefer to get my supplies from a local business in bulk.  Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I am just starting in the business world and have a lot to learn.  Holly S.

• "Organic Honey" is a very misleading term.  The bees leave the hive and visit flowers and the beekeeper has no control over the growing of the flowers.  The flowers could have been sprayed with a chemical to keep them healthy - but the beekeeper never knows this.
  
  Some people refer to the treatment of hive diseases as being non organic - beekeepers treat their bees with terramycin, essential oils (such as wintergreen, eucalyptus oil and thyme) and sometimes miticides to keep them healthy - but these products are only used when honey supers are not on the hives.
  
  I really believe that someone who calls themselves an "organic honey producer" is "pulling your leg" or just misleading you.
  
  Bill

From our Winter 2006 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Propolis & raw honey, Purchasing wine, Planting frontenac vines, First time winemaker, Making a wine press, Wick sizes, Candlemaking equipment, Clean-burning, natural-type candle, Scented or unscented tapers.

1/6/2006 - Daniel

What do you know about propolis?

• The bees make propolis by bringing tree sap back to the hive. Propolis is used by the honeybees to fill cracks in their hives and to cover (entomb) things that they cannot remove (like a dead mouse). Many people use propolis as a health supplement.
  
  

Does your honey contain any of this stuff?

• There are small amount of propolis in honey, but most of it is scraped off beehive equipment.
  
  

I heard that it is good for many things and is beneficial to ones health but I don't know much more than that.

I read somewhere that it is the stuff bees cap off their honey with. What do you think?

• Bees cap their honey cells with beeswax, not propolis.
• Information about propolis ......
  
  
  

Is Raw honey ever available in a pourable consistency?
It seems as though every time I see raw honey it is only sold in a thick paste like consistency. Do you know why this is or am I mistaken?
Do you have any raw honey available at this time of year and can I save a buck or two by bringing my own container?

• Raw honey is liquid for only a few months after it is extracted from the combs, then it granulates to a hard consistancy. We sell raw honey from our sales stand on weekend in the fall. We have a barrel that we keep full and people bring their own containers and we fill them - it is sold by the pound. September and October is the only time that LIQUID raw honey is available. We sell it at various fruit stands the rest of the year in smaller containers, it is granulated just like you describe.

What is the largest amount of honey you ever sold to one person at one time?

• I think we sold almost 2000 lb to someone once. He was purchasing it to sell to his friends.

Does raw honey need to be kept refrigerated?

• No, it is stored at room temperature.
  
  
  

I have never visited you farm, and after viewing your wed site I think I am missing out on allot of fun! We often go to UPick orchard for apples and blueberries but never grapes. Are your grapes good to just eat or are they primarily only good for making wine?

• We have many varieties of table and jelly grapes available.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely, Daniel

12/12/2005 - Ann Gordon

Im interested in purchasing some 150 mixed bottles of the above for a 25th wedding anniversary in May.  What can you tell me about your products?  Is there a any way of obtaining a sample split of the above? 

• We do not sell any wine  - only grapes for home winemakers. Bill

12/9/2005 - Bruce Carlin

I'll be planting 215 Frontenac vines in April.  I was looking into grow tubes when I came across your site.  Any information that you can share would be most appreciated.

• I have nursery resources on this page:
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/winemakingresources.htm
  
  I have purchased grow tubes in the past from Orchard Valley Supply:
  http://www.orchardvalleysupply.com/
  

12/5/2005 - Patrick

i am going to make wine for my first time.  i would like to make a sweet red wine.  some of the wine i have tasted and would like to mimic has residual sugar of 5 - 7% and alcohol of 11% or more.  the more i read the more confused i get.  some say you can't add enough sugar at the beginning it just turns to alcohol and others say you can add enough.  some say to add sugar after fermenting but it could start again and explode.  do you have a simple recipe for a sweet red wine?  i would like to make it from grapes.

• They are all correct.  There is no real recipe for winemaking - the grape juice will automatically ferment out to a dry wine.   Maksweet wine is real easy - just start with your must and keep adding sugar to it as it ferments.   When it slows down, taste it, and add more sugar if it is not sweet, ---- keep doing this until it stops ferments.  Eventually you will have enough alcohol to kill the yeast and the sugar left over will sweeten your wine.
  
  More winemaking info:
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/vineyard.htm
  
  Good luck - Bill

12/1/2005 - Elmer Tackman

Hi folks, I am interested in making my own wine press. Do you now where I might get plans along with the associated hardware necessary to make a press?Your remittance would be greaty appreciated, Thanks, Elmer Tackman

• I have no press plans - Years ago I built one from a plan from "Rodale Press" -- Look for them on google.
  
  Bill

12/1/2005 - Kelly

Thank you for sharing your expertise on your website.  My home schooling family is studying the pioneers at the moment.  We have some beeswax from another project and would like to try the tapers as Christmas gifts to our neighbors.  The only information that I did not find on your site was what kind or size of wick works best for a particular size beeswax candle.  Would you rather not give out this information?  If not that is fine, but if you dont mind we would like to know your counsel.
 
Kelly
 
"...That in all things HE might have the preeminence"
Colossians 1:18

• We use a #2 square braid wick for most of our hand dipped candles - The point is that you have to test burn all your candles to see if the wick is correct.  For all the candles we make we probably use at least a dozen sizes of wicks and sometimes we change them years later (after more test burning).
  
  Bill

11/21/2005 - Graeme Pratt

What great site. I enjoyed your informative making of hand dipped candles.I live in the UK and teach children with challenging behaviour, one of my hobbies is bee keeping. I recently went on a candle making course and so enjoyed it that I would like my students to become involved in a candle making project.
Could you help me.?
I wish to buy from you, a wooden frame and wicking set-up that holds 6 pairs of candles.
May I have a sample of the cheese cloth type material for straining the wax, and finally, could you tell me the depth of the candle tank?
I do hope that you can help me, Graeme Pratt.

• We do not sell candle equipment - but you can make it yourself - go to this page for details:
  http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/articles/tapers/frames/frames.htm
  
  The strainers can be metal equipment or just strainer bags or cheesecloth in a holder.
  
  The candle tank has to be deep enough for the candles - ours are 2 feet.
  
  Bill

11/16/2005 - Margaret Kellam

Hello!
 
I'm looking for a clean-burning, natural-type candle and found out about Beeswax candles on the "web".
 
This sounds like what I'm looking for: candles that don't give off any chemicals or soot, and longer burning. 
 
Are your little jelly jar candles really 100% natural beeswax? 

• Yes 100%
  

 
What type of wick is in them?

• Most of our candles have square braid cotton core wick.
  
  

 If I order the "Natural" scented ones, are they just pure, without any additives?

• Yes - that is correct
  
  

 Thank you for answering.  I hope to order soon!
 
Sincerely, Margaret Kellam

11/15/2005 - Lisa    Silver Spring, Maryland

Hi  - I would like to order beeswax tapers and votives but I would like to select those that have a strong beeswax scent, which I love.  Does this mean I should order "scented" or just the regular beeswax candles?  Thanks for clarifying this for me.

• You want the un-scented votives.  The scented ones have lilac, honeysuckle, bayberry and other essential oil scents in them.
  
  Bill