Queen rearing.

[Frenchie]

I have a very strong,gentle colony and would like to make another colony from it. I plan to use the method described in Ted Hoopers Guide to Bees:i.e put a 2nd brood box filled with all unsealed brood,made up with sealed brood and frame of pollen(if available),on top of original brood box and 2 supers.Nurse bees should move up to unsealed brood, but fact they are isolated from queen by 2 excluders and 2 supers means they should make queen cells. My question is have I left it to late to try this.Thanks.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I have a very strong,gentle colony and would like to make another colony from it. I plan to use the method described in Ted Hoopers Guide to Bees:i.e put a 2nd brood box filled with all unsealed brood,made up with sealed brood and frame of pollen(if available),on top of original brood box and 2 supers.Nurse bees should move up to unsealed brood, but fact they are isolated from queen by 2 excluders and 2 supers means they should make queen cells. My question is have I left it to late to try this.Thanks.

No, there is plenty of time. I do not have my Hooper in front of me (and have essentially no working memory) but you describe the standard Demaree method and as described it will not guarantee that they raise cells ADD especially in the strong colony you describe /ADD. What does Hooper prescribe for that; I assume you are avoiding grafting?

ADD Useful thread here http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7767.