I finally grafted!!!!

[Chef Isaac]

hello all!! today.... rainy, windy, 50 degrees.... typical weather in this area.

Yesterday was nice and for some reason the weather forcasters have been wrong lately (not today smile.gif ) so I went out and made a hive queenless. Today I went back and grafted!!!!

I found out that I really like the chinese grafting tool. Works for me.

I grafted 17 cells. I am nervous. I hope at least one takes. I picked larvae that were really small. Either making a slight bend or a small c. Is that ok? I hope so. I also primed each cell with a small amount of water. It took me about 15 minutes from the time I got into the car with the frame to when I was done grafting 17 cells. Is that ok? When I too kthe frame out of the hive, I wrapped it in a wet clothe. That is ok eh?

I am soooo happy. Thank you all for your tips and encouragment. I wish I could all cook you dinner.

and a special thanks to Tim.

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

aaaaah....and the addiction grows... next thing you know you'll be building bee equip and selling on ebay to pass the fever to others......sorry gotta go to see if grafting station has a sold yet!!!! tongue.gif Oh waite... you bought it. :D Thanks!!! I'll get you a bill emailed out. PM me with bill to name.

[ April 08, 2006, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: onlygoodSHBisdeadone ]

[jean-marc]

Those were the larvae to graft. I wrap with a wet cloth as I graft. More important later in the season as temperatures increase. This prevents larvae from drying out. I want to graft next week. I've got too many old queens that are crapping out. Gotta change them to bring back vigour in the hives.

Jean-Marc

[Michael Bush]

I like the chinese ones the best too. Much easier to pick them up and much easier to lay them down.

[Sundance]

Do you have a link to a pic of the chinese tool?

[Sundance]

Congrats Chef!!! Sounds exciting to say the least. I'm taking the U of M queen rearing class and hope to be doing it this summer myself. Hope I'm ready.

Good luck with your grafts!!

[David Stewart]

In priming the cell, which cell are we talking about- the receiving cell or the donor cell? Trying all the other "do it yourself" items, like to give this one a shot also.


David

[Chef Isaac]

I am not sure I understand your question but I primed the receiving cell.

[tecumseh]

bravo

[Michael Bush]

>Do you have a link to a pic of the chinese tool?

http://www.beeequipment.com/products.asp?pcode=333