Hi there. I just tried grafting for the first time using the Cloake Board method. I got a 50% take, which is OK for the first time I guess. Anyway, the hive is absolutely packed with bees--great for making queens. The queen is of course confined to the bottom box. On top of this box is the queen excluder and cloake frame, then a medium super and the other deep box with the queen cells.
I'm thinking that when the cells are ready this weekend to be placed in their mating nucs, that I have two alternatives: either re-use this large hive immediately for more grafts; or split immediately. Am I correct about this?
Today or tomorrow is my day to look at the top deep box for any rogue queen cells and remove them. Should I also check the bottom box at this time? Or is that too disruptive?
When I started setting up the starter-finisher about a week ago, there were no queen cells or even queen cups in the bottom box. Or perhaps I should had another medium super?
Thanks.
I'm thinking that when the cells are ready this weekend to be placed in their mating nucs, that I have two alternatives: either re-use this large hive immediately for more grafts; or split immediately. Am I correct about this?
Today or tomorrow is my day to look at the top deep box for any rogue queen cells and remove them. Should I also check the bottom box at this time? Or is that too disruptive?
When I started setting up the starter-finisher about a week ago, there were no queen cells or even queen cups in the bottom box. Or perhaps I should had another medium super?
Thanks.