Flow Hive Nuc Guide (UK)
How to start your Flow Hive with a Langstroth nucleus colony — setup, management, and best practices for UK beekeepers.
Trusted by UK beekeepers for calm, productive Buckfast nucs
Dorset-raised nucleus colonies with UK-mated queens. Disease-checked, friendly advice, secure checkout, and dependable Royal Mail delivery.
Set Up a Flow Hive Nuc (UK)
A practical UK guide to installing a Langstroth nucleus colony for Flow Hive beekeeping — how Flow frames work, how to stock your hive, and reliable UK harvesting. Ideal for Flow Hive beginners looking to buy Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive with UK-mated queens.
Popular searches we serve: spring Flow Hive nucs UK, overwintered Flow Hive nucs, summer Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive, and Flow Hive nucs for beginners — Dorset-based with UK delivery.
What is a Flow Hive?
A Flow Hive is a Langstroth hive with a special honey super: Flow frames have split plastic cells that open with a key so ripe honey drains via a tube, reducing disturbance during harvest. It doesn’t replace inspections; it simply makes extraction simpler.
UK compatibility (frames & boxes)
- Boxes/frames: UK Flow setups use Langstroth dimensions. Start with a Langstroth nuc compatible with Flow Hive.
- Queen management: Use a queen excluder under the Flow super. Many UK keepers run double brood for space and swarm control.
- Equipment: Paynes poly nucs and Langstroth brood boxes are common UK choices for Flow Hive compatible nucs.
Setup checklist (quick start)
- Site & stand: Firm base, sun, wind-shelter. Level side-to-side with a slight backward tilt (~3°) for harvesting.
- Brood configuration: One or two Langstroth brood boxes; add a queen excluder before the Flow super.
- Add the Flow super: Only when brood boxes are well covered with bees and a nectar flow is on.
- Routine management: Standard inspections for brood health, space, swarm control, stores and varroa.
Getting bees to work the Flow super
- Colony strength + flow: Ensure the super is crowded with foragers and nectar is coming in.
- Priming (optional): Lightly rub/paint beeswax on Flow comb faces to encourage use (don’t clog the mechanism).
- Focus: Avoid other supers initially so bees commit to the Flow frames.
Harvesting Flow frames (clean & safe)
- Only harvest ripe honey: Aim for ~90% capped; pull frames to check, not just the end window.
- Check the tilt: Re-confirm the backward slope so honey exits the tube, not into the hive.
- Manage robbing: Use food-grade tubing into a lidded bucket; harvest 1–2 frames at a time if needed.
- Open gradually: Crack frames in stages to prevent airlocks and allow cleanup.
Seasonal UK tips
- Spring Flow Hive nucs (UK): Build strength; add the Flow super once brood boxes are full of bees.
- Summer Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive: Keep space ahead of the bees (double brood helps). Watch for swarm signs.
- Overwintered Flow Hive nucs: Post-harvest, remove the Flow super. Shift focus to mite control and winter stores.
Dorset-based, UK delivery available.
FAQs — Flow Hive in the UK
Where can I buy Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive beekeeping?
From us — see Buy Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive (UK). We supply Buckfast nucs with UK-mated queens and UK delivery.
Do Flow Hives work with National frames?
No — UK Flow setups use Langstroth boxes/frames (the National Flow super was discontinued). Start with a Langstroth nuc.
Are your nucs suitable for beginners?
Yes. Our Flow Hive nucs for beginners include calm, disease-checked colonies with guidance on installation.
Do I need to wax the Flow frames?
Not required, but a light smear/paint of beeswax can help bees start work on new Flow frames.
How much should be capped before I harvest?
Target ~90% capping to ensure ripe honey and reduce mess/fermentation risk.
Why the backward tilt?
A slight backward slope (~3°) lets honey drain out the tube rather than into the hive body.