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Author Topic: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box  (Read 7198 times)

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Offline Tyania

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Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« on: March 16, 2014, 01:26:40 pm »
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with terra cotta clay flower boxes used for top bar hives?
I am looking for a woodless option since I live in tropical Mexico... Non treated wood rots very easily, becomes termite infested, and hardwoods are extremely expensive.
I was thinking that clay would maintain temps very good in the summer heat and breath well in the high humidity but I cannot find anyone using this as a building material in a top bar construction...
Also, interested in the future possiblity of glazing the inside to avoid them attaching combs to the sides.
I found some that are within the acceptable range of dimensions for a tbh but am hoping for some advise before I move forward.
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Offline iddee

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2014, 02:57:50 pm »
I can't help you with the terra cotta, but many cut a 55 gallon drum, ""barrel"" in half longways and make one from that.

Here is a good example.

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/

PS. Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy it and stay awhile.
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Offline Jen

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2014, 03:18:50 pm »
I Love The Idea! If they are going to be out in the weather year round, I might be concerned about the terra cotta staying wet causing condensation. And terra cotta does fall apart in wet weather. How about those big ceramic pots? Or terra cotta that has the glossy beautiful paint on them?

Oooo, if you do this, sure would love some pics  ;) :-[
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Offline Marbees

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2014, 11:12:32 pm »
Not exactly terra cotta, but the Robo's link iddee posted gives you some ideas.......
Welcome to the Forum Tyania, glad you came  :)
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2014, 11:19:56 pm »
In tropical mexico...   i don't think i would be afraid of terra cotta. keep it off the ground..   If attaching combs to the sides is a worry, then make frames that FIT into the chamber rather than just top bars. leave 5/16 to 3/8 around the edges of the frames and they should never fill in that space. I am envious of your location.. as I stare out the window at the blowing snow....
   WELCOME to the forum Tyania!
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Offline Barbarian

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 12:56:02 pm »
Welcome to the forum.     :welcome:

I have a vague memory that Gene Kritsky in his book "Search for the perfect hive" illustrates an old pottery hive used in Greece that was round with sloping sides.

Every few years a UK beekeeper invents a new hive. Recently a chap was pushing a TBH made out of concrete building bricks with the top bars of re-cycled bamboo canes. I suppose you could make a TBH using the local brick.

If you start building a coffin-like structure on your back lot your partner could start getting worried.    ...... You could always say it was for vampire bats.

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Offline BoilerJim

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2014, 01:02:27 pm »
Good idea, Tyania. Welcome to the forum.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2014, 02:32:16 pm »
Welcome Tyania.
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Offline kebee

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Re: Terra cotta planter for top bar hive box
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 02:34:34 pm »
Welcome Tyania to the forum, I think you will like it here, enjoy.

Ken
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