On Sunday June 28, Kristien set up the colony at the farm with the cloak board. Special attention was paid to have only capped brood in the cell finishing box and make sure all the open brood was in the bottom box.
On June 30th, we met a Kristien’s and grafted from Cleopatra stock. We then went to the farm and placed the cells in a cut out area of a frame of comb.
Our colony ready for the grafted cells. We have a denser population than we have had on previous attempts.
Liz’s grafts on the way in!
Kristien’s grafts on the way in!
On July 2nd, I removed the cloak board and checked to see how many cells have been accepted. The cells are somewhat chaotic. Only 5 of 14 were accepted. None have been capped and they just look a little stubby.
Liz’s accepted cells.
Kristien’s accepted cell.
Close up Kristien’s accepted cell.
Here’s a shot of the food. I don’t know what the food levels were on Tuesday when we placed the cells.
Syrup level 48 hours after graft cells introduced.
The ones that took seem to have a good bit of food in them. I think next time, the frame needs more space on either side, the cells seemed to have suffered from going in and out. I don’t know that the bees will start a cell that is not facing down.
But the cells on the side I was watching were in line when we closed the hive. I think the bee’s activity moved them, either intentionally or unintentionally.