Pollination and plant information

[Barbara Mumpower]

    

I have pole beans growing up the back of my greenhouse.  To pollinate them I shake the vines every day since there is no wind to do it for me.  I also realized that my tomatoes needed the same treatment; this has improved tomato production greatly. I pollinate my cucumbers with a soft bristled paint brush labeled so I don't get it mixed up with the brush I use for my squash.  I do the same routine with my strawberries. 

     Most tomatoes won’t set fruit if the night time temperature drops below 60 degrees. 

What works for you, through trial and error or knowledge you have learned?  I have read some use an electric toothbrush to pollinate plants. 

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[Barbara Mumpower]

To grow a pineapple; cut off the top of the pineapple, take off the bottom rows of leaves, let it sit on the counter for three days( or more) then plant it. 

[Sahib Punjabi]

Good info :-)

God bless

[Tom OBrien]

I read an article on greenhouse pollination that said an electric toothbrush works about as well as the vibrating glass rods they make as commercial pollinators. Both of these simulate the vibration of insect wings which is what does most of the pollination work outdoors. I didn't find that article, but here's a link covering the same topic:

 http://www.urbanaquaponics.com/content.php?142-Greenhouse-Plant-Pol...

I have used the electric toothbrush method for the last month or so on my beans and peas. It seems to be working well so far.

[Ann Beman]

I have had ongoing problem with nightshade pollination. Lush plants with many blossoms but the anthers never open to release pollen - so, obviously, no fruit.  I have even gone so far as to, under a microscope, open the anther on a withering blossom and discovered that there is lots of sticky pollen grains inside. Anyone else have this problem of no pollen release? No amount of shaking, paint brushing or other pollenation aids will help if the pollen is never released.

This is an indoors, deep-water raft system. Water temp is 73deg F. Air temp constant 65deg. I would really love some good advice because Im about to give up on tomatoes all together. :(

[Barbara Mumpower]

The problem is that my tomatoes have been growing all winter and they are about ten feet across the ceiling, I have to get on a ladder to pick them and take off the suckers.  A PVC pipe to knock them around a little works well.  You can root the suckers that come off tomatoes.  Just cut it to about three inches, take off the bigger leaves and any buds leaving just the center two or three that are immature and put it in water like a flower.  It will root almost everytime.  Great way to get some to plant outside.

Thomas K OBrien said:

I read an article on greenhouse pollination that said an electric toothbrush works about as well as the vibrating glass rods they make as commercial pollinators. Both of these simulate the vibration of insect wings which is what does most of the pollination work outdoors. I didn't find that article, but here's a link covering the same topic:

 http://www.urbanaquaponics.com/content.php?142-Greenhouse-Plant-Pol...

I have used the electric toothbrush method for the last month or so on my beans and peas. It seems to be working well so far.

[RupertofOZ]

You don't even need an electric toothbrush... an old worn bristle toothbrush will do the job just fine...

[Barbara Mumpower]

Here is a web site that might explain tomatoes a little better
http://pollinator.com/self_pollinating_tomato.htm it might be why an electric tooth brush also works.

 
Ann Beman said:

I have had ongoing problem with nightshade pollination. Lush plants with many blossoms but the anthers never open to release pollen - so, obviously, no fruit.  I have even gone so far as to, under a microscope, open the anther on a withering blossom and discovered that there is lots of sticky pollen grains inside. Anyone else have this problem of no pollen release? No amount of shaking, paint brushing or other pollenation aids will help if the pollen is never released.

This is an indoors, deep-water raft system. Water temp is 73deg F. Air temp constant 65deg. I would really love some good advice because Im about to give up on tomatoes all together.

[TCLynx]

Ann, if the air temp isn't getting over 65 F, the tomatoes probably don't think it is warm enough.  I think toms like the daytime temps to be up in the 70's-80's and the night time temps in the 60's-70's.