Cloak Board Method

[nantmoel]

I spend the last few days preparing a hive for queen rearing using the 'Cloak board' method, I have this morning pop the grafts in, fingers crossed.

 

[B+.]

I have this morning pop the grafts in, fingers crossed.

Good Luck!

 

[drex]

Just done my second round of grafting - first ever attempt was last month with a 25% take, which I was happy with. The first time I used a frame trap to confine the queen on an empty comb to obtain larvae of correct age. This time, knowing more what I was looking for, I just took a suitable frame from the hive containing my chosen breeder queen. However this was a fairly newly drawn frame and the wax was soft. The tongue of the Chinese grafting tool just kept going through the bottom of the cell, rather than curving round under the larvae. I got round this by breaking down the side wall of the chosen cell a little to approach the larva from a flatter angle. Was much more confident this time, taking my time, and will let you know the " take" in a day or two. Now I know why the experienced suggest using older comb to graft from.
Used Cloake board on both occasions, makes it a whole lot easier. Last week I had added frames of soon to emerge brood, so the hive was crammed with bees. Not much pollen in any hives, but I did manage to find two good frames to put in the rearer colony.

 

[masterBK]

If you use a brush (000) to graft then you won't get a problem with newly drawn comb.

 

[Hivemaker.]

If you use a brush (000) to graft then you won't get a problem with newly drawn comb.

I agree, I always graft using a brush and put newly drawn combs in specially to graft from.

 

[drex]

Thanks both. I am a raw beginner at this grafting lark. Will continue to practice with Chinese tools, for a while. I do agree with the advice that when buying them buy several. I used four different ones this time and they all reacted differently. If using a brush do you still dry graft?
Glad I decided to try grafting as has added a whole new dimension to my beekeeping.

 

[nantmoel]

I removed the cloak board this morning in the rain! Had a quick look and they had started a number of cells, lets see how many they finish.

 

[Teemore]

Thanks both. I am a raw beginner at this grafting lark. Will continue to practice with Chinese tools, for a while. I do agree with the advice that when buying them buy several. I used four different ones this time and they all reacted differently. If using a brush do you still dry graft?
Glad I decided to try grafting as has added a whole new dimension to my beekeeping.

I have a "few" Chinese grafting tools (plus spares yet to be tried out). So far i have only found one that I like to work with and it is closely guarded! Yet to try the paint brush method but currently doing OK with the grafting tool. My current favourite cell bar frame takes 18 grafts. Last two grafting sessions produced 14 and 16 queen cells respectively and all emerged. Did another 18 grafts Friday past but yet to check on them... Producing grafts from selected colonies is a good way to vevelop your beekeeping and to help other beekeepers

 

[foghornleghorn]

I agree, I always graft using a brush and put newly drawn combs in specially to graft from.

How do you do it with a brush, is it slide it under the larvae ?