August - September: feeding with sugar syrup in 2 batches, in between Varroa treatment.

October - March: The bees consume the winter feed.

In October, the least weight loss is observed, as nectar is still added on some days. The breeding activities are successively stopped, the colony of bees forms itself into a winter cluster and comes to a rest.

From mid-December to the beginning of April, weight loss accelerates as breeding activity intensifies and the temperature in the brood nest is raised. In March, when the brood nest is being rinsed, the winter bees die gradually, while the brood nests are further expanded. The bees now need a lot of food to feed the larvae and keep the temperature in the hive high. At the same time the first early bloomers start to give nectar, which can only be brought in by the bees on warm days.

April: The colonies are now growing at breathtaking speed, and with the fruit blossoming the nectar supply increases rapidly, recognizable by the bend in the curves. The increase in honey quantities is remarkable. On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that not all colonies are gaining weight equally well. While the two strong colonies gain up to 2 kg per day, the weight gain of the two weaker colonies is only 0.5 kg per day - at the same location.

Are these colonies just a bit behind in their development, or is the performance of the queens so different?

The garden beekeeper waits and continues to observe the development with great interest.