How long can I keep a caged virgin queen?

[Etton]

I have 4 queens that have emerged from incubator QC's. I have placed each Q in a yellow cage in a dark draw with fondant inside next to the breakaway tab. I have added 4/5 attendants with each and regularly smear water over the cage. I am waiting for some apedias to be delivered.
Anyone know how long I can keep them in this state?

 

[B+.]

I have 4 queens that have emerged from incubator QC's. I have placed each Q in a yellow cage in a dark draw with fondant inside next to the breakaway tab. I have added 4/5 attendants with each and regularly smear water over the cage. I am waiting for some apedias to be delivered.
Anyone know how long I can keep them in this state?

1. honey is better than fondant for a virgin by herself.
2. Introduce asap, certainly within 48 hours. I aim for the same day they emerge.
3. The older they get, the more runny they seem to be. Dunk her in tepid water to slow her movements down and let her walk out onto the frames. The bees will usually lick her dry.

 

[Repwoc]

Presumably the VQs will be added with the damp nurse bees when charging the Apideas then confined in a cool dark place for 3 days before moving them outside and opening the entrances.

 

[Curly green finger's]

1. honey is better than fondant for a virgin by herself.
2. Introduce asap, certainly within 48 hours. I aim for the same day they emerge.
3. The older they get, the more runny they seem to be. Dunk her in tepid water to slow her movements down and let her walk out onto the frames. The bees will usually lick her dry.

I agree the sooner the better, 24hrs for us has worked well with a charged apidea.
Some capped cells have failed second time round for me.
Maybe better putting them in when there charged and growing.
Any better day ,2 days before there capped.??