Rapid QC development RJ experiment

[beepro]

Hi, All!


So on last night's hive inspection while doing the bees consolidation for honey harvest, I found a developing 2 days QC on an old drawn frame.   This QC is at the edge of the comb so the other bees did not pay much attention to it.   This is a perfect candidate to try out my extra RJ injection experiment again.  As you can see from the pic, the QC does not has much RJ deposited while it is on the edge of this frame (1) compare to the other healthy QC in the middle of the frame full of RJ deposited by the bees. (2)

I then took this QC out but it got ripped a bit on the side (3) as you can still see the 2 days old developing grub from this graft.   Out of 34 cells only 12 took!   I use an old drawn frame for this graft. (4)

You can see the difference before (5) the RJ injection and after. (6)    With this method I can grow bigger and healthier queens now.


1. Still on frame: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipNcJqr4Jq3TdJc38zl7PzgRUfvRpPoHD9pVQ0zK
2003

2. Other normal QC:  https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipMzM8raj_ko6qVzic-SvBcW3GRT-bEktnQvBxJ4

3. The little grub:  https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipM396Gb99FdEo8SgSuRNBxz9V95sxXIJLx9mJo_

4. Grafted frame: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipNejq-E-hkXze7ABgRMwZhkvOYDij0o4Jv7xEvo

5. Bits of RJ only: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipOxUouNwPCLRTJX0TsQ8buW4bYP_pfvuxU_FgEg

6. Full now after RJ injection:  https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPFlGKddQftvhroJa9gxUv5fO8cw16kmvjp-KMH/photo/AF1QipNIBbMTOjhHXbgs56JK1tGTmK_7OFgwMckOO9iJ

[BeeMaster2]

Beepro,
I cannot see the pictures for some reason.
Are you adding RJ to open QCells or capped ones?
Jim

[ed/La.]

I can not see the photos either.  I was going to add RJ to queen cells/cups also.  Going to collect it from unwanted queen cells.  Any idea what the shelf life is? I do not like the idea of a nuc making queens but with a little help it might be an option. I will look at your other post and see if you discuss this. Perhaps a YouTube video?

[BeeMaster2]

I really do not see the value of adding RJ to a queen cell. The bees put so much of it into the cell that the queen cannot use it all before they pupate. When a queen hatches out there is still RJ in the bottom.
Jim

[ed/La.]

Jim you are right but a strong hive tends to make better queens and more queen cells than a nuc. Some hives don't have the resources so adding RJ is a way to help. Beepro could take experiment a step further and add the RJ   to worker egg and see if bees turn it into queen cell .

[BeeMaster2]

That is an interesting idea. I do not think it would work. Mainly because queen cells are always vertical and I wonder if they develop horizontally. It may be that the bees would then float the larvae out and make emergency cell from them. I suspect what will happen is the bees will remove the RJ on the third day after the eggs hatch.
If it worked, it would be a new form of grafting.
Jim