Good videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Just a tip here: I use a simple, small headlamp when I graft; it´s quite convenient, in that it leaves both your hands free in case your frames should slide or move.
They don't. This is an old video so I do things differently now than I did at the time of making this video, but either way the bees don't have viable larvae to make cells from in the cell builders, the way I do them anyway.
Thank You!!! These are great videos - and really where I want to be for my future beekeeping activities (I want to scale my hives up when I get my house built)
Hey Brent...just did my first graft...following your advice on the videos...did terrible...but it’s a start...only 3 of 16 were accepted...but I will get better...thank you buddy....
Hey Brett...love you man....I wanted to tell you my progress with my venture in raising queens....remember my last message I told you I only had 3 accepted out of 16 cups...well I took that cell bar frame and placed it into my Queen starter hive...double box with queen put into bottom box by excluder...I looked after a week...that crazy hive had filled that complete cell bar frame out with wax over top of the cells in the cell bar...and completely filled the whole bar with wax...just like the other frames in the high...learning experience...but just wondered if it ever happened to you.... My second attempt is going better...with 17 of 30 accepted....
Yeah sometimes they draw wax on the cell bar frame, you can put a frame of foundation right next to it to try to entice them to draw on there. Either way, a sharp knife or scissors will trim those cells up nice for you. 17 out of 30 for your second graft?! That's awesome!
When I used to graft in the house I'd just take a contact out and put my eyes really close to the frame, I'm nearsighted so that along with a small flashlight was enough for me to see and graft successfully. Now that I graft in the truck I don't take a contact out, so I do use a magnifying/illuminating visor.
I'm in New beekeeper I've had my hives for about 6/8 weeks now I'm seriously thinking about going this route for multiplying my colonies I did like your comment though just get into it so it's like everything else practice makes perfect huh
Certainly. It would be easier with just 6 to 8 hives to just split them, rather than creating a cell builder and then nucs, but if you're interested in grafting then go for it. You'll wish you had started this year if you wait.
That depends on my overall timing. If I have another graft right behind that one I'll move it after 24 hrs. If not, I might leave it in the starter indefinitely. If the starter is REALLY well stocked, I will often let them finish the cells.
This is good explanation of how to graft. Thanks for simplifying the process and not making it more difficult than it has to be.
Great choice of music for grafting. Love some Alabama Shakes. I might try my hand at this next year. Thanks for the great vids.
Thanks for watching. Alabama Shakes is a great band, for sure. I really want to see them live.
Great video. Going to watch part 2 now
Love your videos dude!!!!!! I've been following you for over a year now. I would love to get some of your quèens. Mike
Thanks man, we ship queens all over the country. To get on the list head to www.bkbees.com
Thanks for the support!
Good videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Just a tip here: I use a simple, small headlamp when I graft; it´s quite convenient, in that it leaves both your hands free in case your frames should slide or move.
Thanks for the comment and the tip. Since I now graft in the truck I actually am using a magnified and illuminated headlamp.
How did you get the bees to start your cells if they had larva of there own to make queen cells from?
They don't. This is an old video so I do things differently now than I did at the time of making this video, but either way the bees don't have viable larvae to make cells from in the cell builders, the way I do them anyway.
Thank You!!! These are great videos - and really where I want to be for my future beekeeping activities (I want to scale my hives up when I get my house built)
Can you tell me where to get supplies and the chinese grafting tools? I know you said ebay, but what tools / equipment would you recommend?
Hey Brent...just did my first graft...following your advice on the videos...did terrible...but it’s a start...only 3 of 16 were accepted...but I will get better...thank you buddy....
That sounds extremely similar to my first go. I think I had 3 accepted and 1 turned into a mated queen.
Good usefull video. Wish to see the result
Hey Brett...love you man....I wanted to tell you my progress with my venture in raising queens....remember my last message I told you I only had 3 accepted out of 16 cups...well I took that cell bar frame and placed it into my Queen starter hive...double box with queen put into bottom box by excluder...I looked after a week...that crazy hive had filled that complete cell bar frame out with wax over top of the cells in the cell bar...and completely filled the whole bar with wax...just like the other frames in the high...learning experience...but just wondered if it ever happened to you....
My second attempt is going better...with 17 of 30 accepted....
Yeah sometimes they draw wax on the cell bar frame, you can put a frame of foundation right next to it to try to entice them to draw on there. Either way, a sharp knife or scissors will trim those cells up nice for you.
17 out of 30 for your second graft?! That's awesome!
Great video!! What keeps the larvae from falling out when you first turn the cells upside down?
Surface tension from the royal jelly.
Do you use any type of magnifying glass or you just use the rafting tool
When I used to graft in the house I'd just take a contact out and put my eyes really close to the frame, I'm nearsighted so that along with a small flashlight was enough for me to see and graft successfully. Now that I graft in the truck I don't take a contact out, so I do use a magnifying/illuminating visor.
I'm in New beekeeper I've had my hives for about 6/8 weeks now I'm seriously thinking about going this route for multiplying my colonies I did like your comment though just get into it so it's like everything else practice makes perfect huh
Certainly. It would be easier with just 6 to 8 hives to just split them, rather than creating a cell builder and then nucs, but if you're interested in grafting then go for it. You'll wish you had started this year if you wait.
Hi ...do you keep the larva in the starter hive for 24 or 48 hours?
That depends on my overall timing. If I have another graft right behind that one I'll move it after 24 hrs. If not, I might leave it in the starter indefinitely. If the starter is REALLY well stocked, I will often let them finish the cells.
Cannot follow that process at all....don’t understand that part of raising-keeping Bees....