View Full Version : Getting started in grafting - basic questions
FordGuy
03-04-2008, 08:36 PM
Can this be as simple as using Jz Bz cups (do you prefer the drill cups or top bar split cups?) using a spoon grafting tool (and practice) grafting appropriate age larvae into cups and then placing it into a cell builder hive? Seems straitforward to me, which usually means I am about to embark on a horrible, horrible comedy of errors.
BEES4U
03-04-2008, 09:44 PM
Actually it is not a commedy of errors. You will find that it is very self rewarding.
In anticipation:
You will see some of the largest and most productive queens in your life!
And you are the "Man".
Regards & Good luck!
Ernie
Lucas Apiaries
lake thompson honey
03-04-2008, 09:54 PM
there are some tricks and techniques that work better than others. little things make a difference. you will just have to experiment and talk to lots of people to figure out what you are doing. there are some good detailed books on the subject.
I'm definitely not an expert but I would nonetheless recommend the Marla Spivak booklet and video (Successful Queen Rearing, Minnesota Extension Service, VH-6335). Also the grafting tool really made a big difference for me. The Swiss grafter from BetterBee (GT3) has a very fine tip that made it easier for me to get under the larvae and more importantly, to get the larvae off again. The other grafters that I tried were like shovels. I had a hard time getting under the larvae with them without smashing against the side wall of the cell and then couldn't get the larvae off the tip again to place in the cups. Also, you really need a good light that will shine clear down to the bottom of the cell without heating the larvae (and for me some 3X glasses really helped)
I would love to here the opinions of others with more experience.
The good news is that grafting is the easiest part of queen rearing. Cell building and mating techniques can be very nuanced and varied.
tecumseh
03-05-2008, 04:53 AM
grafting isn't suppose to be as easy as one of the newer systems (nicot). get a magnifying glass/lamp on a extendable arm and one of those automatic grafting tools.... or if you have really good eyesight and an extremely steady hand just get one of those cheap grafting tools and do it. and then do it again.
like most things it will get easier with practice.
BerkeyDavid
03-05-2008, 03:46 PM
I grafted a few queens in the past, but this year I am going all out. I have been practicing with my neon headlight and drop down magnifying head goggles.
After practicing a little bit I decided to make my own grafting tool based on the details in the Spivak /Reuter book mentioned above. It took about 5 minutes and a piece of scrap steel wire.
I have to say that it sure seems like this little tool is going to work much better than what I have been using in the past. I can't wait to try it, still 73 days away (but whose counting?):)
Mitch
03-07-2008, 07:15 AM
I am counting lol
I took a paper clip and hammered and polished it,but have no clue what i am makeing.
Michael Bush
03-07-2008, 08:51 PM
It's nice to end up with something like this:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesdoolittle.htm#ToothPick
Mitch
03-08-2008, 06:29 AM
MB I have something like that.The one i made is About 1/16th toward the shank and taperd to the tip and ronded.Is it better to be very shiney and smooth or a bit rough.Seems to me there would be alot more surface tention with wood vers metal.All so i have the end bent closer to 90 deg than some of the pics i have seen,thinking it would be easyer to get into the cell.But then it could make is harder to get the larve off.
Barry Tolson
03-08-2008, 08:10 AM
In preparing for my first grafting this season I plan on dipping my own queen cell cups. If I make my cups now and place them on a cell cup bar and carefully store them, will they be ok until time to use them in 8 weeks or so? If so, it is something I can do indoors on a cold winter day.
Michael Bush
03-08-2008, 07:47 PM
>If I make my cups now and place them on a cell cup bar and carefully store them, will they be ok until time to use them in 8 weeks or so?
If they are in a cool dry place, sure.
In preparing for my first grafting this season I plan on dipping my own queen cell cups. If I make my cups now and place them on a cell cup bar and carefully store them, will they be ok until time to use them in 8 weeks or so? If so, it is something I can do indoors on a cold winter day.
Placing the cups in a hive the night before you graft will allow the bees to "polish" them prior to grafting.