Grafting Timeline
Manage queen grafting batches with key dates for capping, transfers, emergence, and mating checks.
Graft Details
Younger larvae produce better queens. Ideal is 12-24 hours post-hatch.
Timeline
Schedule
Graft Date
Larvae grafted into cell cups. Typical larval age (~12-24h)
Sat, Dec 6
Cells Capped
Queen cells should be capped
Wed, Dec 10
Safe Transfer Window
Safe to transfer capped cells to mating nucs
Thu, Dec 11 – Tue, Dec 16
Queen Emergence
Virgin queens emerge
Thu, Dec 18
Safe Caging Window
Safe to cage/ship virgin queens
Fri, Dec 19 – Sun, Dec 21
Mating Flights
Queens take mating flights
Tue, Dec 23 – Thu, Jan 1
Check for Eggs
Check mating nucs for eggs
Thu, Dec 25 – Thu, Jan 1
Final Check
Final assessment - cull or replace failed queens
Sat, Jan 10
Cells capped
Wed, Dec 10
Queens emerge
Thu, Dec 18
Check for eggs
Thu, Dec 25
Final assessment
Sat, Jan 10
Save & Export
Name this batch so you can identify it later
Assumptions & Notes
- Ideal grafting larvae are 12-24 hours old (just hatched, floating in royal jelly).
- Cells are typically capped 3-4 days after grafting.
- Transfer capped cells to mating nucs 1-6 days before emergence.
- Virgin queens can be caged for shipping 1-3 days after emergence.
- Keep detailed records of each batch for improving your process.