Grafting- How far ahead do you plan?

[jeff33]

I am due to graft this afternoon but slightly put off by the planned change in weather by the time queens are due to be ready for their mating flights. I was just curious to see if others consider this when raising queens or if I should not worry too much about it as they are likely to find suitable mating windows?

 

[drex]

I don't have much faith in forecasts that are more than a day or two ahead, so I just do it when I can and conditions in the hives are right. They manage it all by themselves normally anyway

 

[mbc]

My plans for grafting are generally set in motion 9 days ahead when I put brood above a queen excluder, once I've set that plan in motion I disregard the forecast- mostly.

 

[Ian123]

I am due to graft this afternoon but slightly put off by the planned change in weather by the time queens are due to be ready for their mating flights. I was just curious to see if others consider this when raising queens or if I should not worry too much about it as they are likely to find suitable mating windows?

Crack on…if you waited for a weather window none would get anything done!! It’s not July yet it could snow or be minus something next week and you wonder why so many are imported

 

[Bazzer]

I am due to graft this afternoon but slightly put off by the planned change in weather by the time queens are due to be ready for their mating flights. I was just curious to see if others consider this when raising queens or if I should not worry too much about it as they are likely to find suitable mating windows?

It will be around 3 weeks before your queens will be ready to go out and get mated and forecasts that far ahead are not reliable. However, the chances of getting a few decent days in the first 2 weeks of June are high so go for it.

 

[jeff33]

Done, thanks all.. I thought it was going a relaxing session but decided to inspect 4 hives at this apiary and had 2 in swarm mode and had to demaree the other 2. I was dripping in sweat before I even got to grafting!!

 

[Ian123]

I was dripping in sweat before I even got to grafting!!

A bit of humidity is meant to aid successful grafting

 

[jeff33]

and you wonder why so many are imported

Well, apparently they even get raised here and sent abroad for open mating..... I wonder what they are sold as!!

 

[jeff33]

A bit of humidity is meant to aid successful grafting

I do lick the end of my grafting tool between each graft

 

[jeff33]

13 out of 16 takes, not too rusty for the first graft of the season.

 

[mbc]

 

[jeff33]

View attachment 31866View attachment 31867

Is that 100% take Ceri?

 

[mbc]

Is that 100% take Ceri?

No, a few gaps, but over 40 well nourished cells from that box, I'm well pleased. The photos were taken about an hour and a half ago.
This is my third graft and I'd boosted the cell raiser with a Michael Palmer bee bomb after the second so thought they had enough oomph to raise four bars of cells themselves, I'd usually only let them finish two bars.

 

[simonforeman]

14 out of 20 for me first graft of season. These are from an island mated Branstrup queen .... the 4 yellow cell holders on the top bar were grafted by my 8year old daughter. She's well happy with her 3 out of 4 for her first ever go. Names are already for them if they mate.View attachment 31872View attachment 31872

 

[Martimart]

I'm quite tempted to have a go at queen rearing. One of my Queens is a absolute beauty in temperament, laying and honey production. Something to have a read up on and look into further.

 

[jeff33]

I'm quite tempted to have a go at queen rearing. One of my Queens is a absolute beauty in temperament, laying and honey production. Something to have a read up on and look into further.

Quite easy and you don't need to graft.

 

[Ian123]

Quite easy and you don't need to graft.

No but it’s easier than many make out, Simons got his 8yr old doing it and I had a go aged 10!……those cell punches are handy for those with bad eyes though

 

[jeff33]

No but it’s easier than many make out, Simons got his 8yr old doing it and I had a go aged 10!……those cell punches are handy for those with bad eyes though

Agreed. I was quite anxious the first time I did it but found it quite easy. I picked up on tips from others by using an older black frame, a head torch and sanded off the Chinese grafting tool.

 

[jeff33]

Made this little edit. There is always a bit of excitement when you lift a grafting frame wondering how many takes you have.

 

[Swift Nick]

the 4 yellow cell holders on the top bar were grafted by my 8year old daughter. She's well happy with her 3 out of 4 for her first ever go.

Hey Simon, did your daughter practice much or was 3 out of 4 without much practice? I was going to have a go at cell punching, my eyesight is OK, but this inspires me to try grafting, I am only looking to rear 4 or 5 queens. Thanks.