From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Grittyville, WA

so... yeah. What works best? Gonna hit em with the electric razor shears but maybe we would be better off with a little more buzz like a sonicare?

6/4/2018 10:09:27 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Toothbrush.

6/4/2018 10:33:17 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

One of the most important things is that the flower is dry. Watering overhead can be tricky. For me I would hand water in the AM and not get the plant wet. When I'm not home I use a timer for the sprinkler to come on late afternoon.

6/5/2018 12:47:18 AM

Grittyville, WA

Ok we are hand watering and using drip lines. Have not seen any pollen fall out but these babys have yellow petals for many days unlike pumpkins- correct? Also I have now resigned myself to us having some already from disease (from a very minimal aphid attack but that was enough) so... Well maybe that's for another post but: Touching a toothbrush from one flower to the next to the next would that transmit a tomato virus. If so how would I sterilize between? Thanks & hopefully this discussion helps everyone.

6/5/2018 2:33:25 AM

Wixom MI.

Not sure how people are using the toothbrush meathod ??? I don't use one. I just tap the back of the flower like a vibration and thats all i ever done !!! I wouldnt be touching the pistol with the toothbrush because i would be afraid of damaging the pistol ? How does everyone use the toothbrush meathod ? Do you touch the pistol or the side of the flower ? All your tring to due is shake loose the pollon that is just above the pistol so it will fall to the pistol not to give it a shiney smile !!! :-)

6/5/2018 6:00:53 PM

Wixom MI.

I have about 90% sucsess just tapping the back of the flower

6/5/2018 6:03:37 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

I walk around and tap also. On the larger megablooms I use a toothbrush on it for several days as each flower starts to shed pollen on different days. I use the soft bristles toothbrush. Sometimes pollen flies, sometimes it doesn't. When it flies it flies with that toothbrush covering the whole flower. Yes, damage is a concern. I vibrate the stem right below the flower, sometimes on the back of the flower. Usually on the side of the toothbrush.

6/5/2018 9:18:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think I'll just tie a bee on each flower lol.
Thanks... toothbrush sounds fast and effective. Yes... Just against the stem or sepals should be sufficient but maybe the dentist method would work as long as its no more harsh than a big bee.

6/6/2018 2:26:55 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

When the flowers start to appear, I carry around the vegibee with me in the garden. I can vibrate them just as fast as you can tap them. Just a quick 3 second touch on the side of the flower seems to make a difference.

6/6/2018 6:03:33 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Pouring 1 cup of good red wine around the base of plants prior to pollination seems to help with a more successful pollination.

6/6/2018 9:08:29 AM

central Nc

I had to google vegibee. Surpised I haven't seen any infomericials for that one! I'll just go rummaging in my wife's night stand, I'm sure there is something in there I could use.

6/6/2018 11:18:40 AM

Central NY

We’re we headed here?....lol

6/6/2018 11:22:27 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

I have a Vegibee also. An electric toothbrush probably works just as well.
For my noncompetition maters I just place it’s tip on the blossom stem & I do the same for the 3-4X blooms usually mid morning.
If it is a gigundous megabloom, it gets TLC, maybe doing it 2 or 3 times a day.
If there doesn’t seem to be much pollen I’ll use the spoon that comes with the Vegibee to collect pollen from the megabloom, other blooms on the same plant or possibly from other plants.

6/6/2018 1:23:21 PM

Valencia Spain

tried toothbrush electric and never seen any pollen drop ever i think Valencia has high humidity so maybe pollen doesnt drop

6/6/2018 3:32:32 PM

Wixom MI.

Rebel what is the red wine for ? Is this wining and dining a young tomato ? Tomato suduction ??? Lol... :-)

6/7/2018 4:47:20 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

Gets the flowers in the mood I'm pretty sure. Works for gardener. Don't worry Porkchop, we won't go any deeper than this.

6/7/2018 6:20:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

i suspect the lighting must be right to see the pollen try when sun is up with a dark background. Wind or bees might have removed it already.

6/7/2018 6:32:09 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Don’t waste the wine Rebel !
Wolfpack,I don’t think we need to know about your wife’s drawers.....

6/7/2018 9:09:36 PM