Queen Rearing (Latest efforts)

[nantmoel]

Last Sunday I grafted 20 cell cups, I put these into a Q- starter that was made up 24 hours before I grafted. They were left in the starter which consists of 2 frames of pollen and honey, in a closed ventilated box rammed with bees, for 24 hours (I also feed 1:1 syrup). I removed them from this starter and put them in two Q+ hives (10 grafts per hive). I'm really pleased with the results 13/20.. I then move them into an incubator where hopefully in 7 days time they will start to emerge.

 

[nantmoel]

Out of the 13 cells that were place in the incubator I had 12 emerge, they all emerged within a 12 hour window on day 16 so I guess I grafted the right age larvae. Really pleased with the resulting queens, they were all nice and big. I kept 6 myself (all now in Apideas) gave the rest away to fellow beeks. I either stick to the 6 mating hives I run or increase, I only need 30 queens in a season..

 

[B+.]

Out of the 13 cells that were place in the incubator I had 12 emerge

Congratulations! Thats a 5% failure...or a 95% success rate.....depending if you're a "glass half-empty or half-full" guy ;-)

 

[nantmoel]

Congratulations! Thats a 5% failure...or a 95% success rate.....depending if you're a "glass half-empty or half-full" guy ;-)

Half empty man me! Thanks for you support.