The Retirement Thread

[PaulSB]

One for those growing tomatoes.
It's possible to "buzz pollinate" tomato plants by touching the back of the leaves with an electric toothbrush, and turning it on.*


*The electric toothbrush, not the tomato plant.

I'm not quite sure are you telling us or asking?

Bumble bees or solitary bees release pollen by vibrating, "buzzing", the flower and so dislodging the pollen from the anthers. I don't think touching the back of the leaves would replicate this but touching the flower with a battery powered toothbrush would mimic the action and is a recognised technique. The difficulty I see with the technique is that the flowers on a tomato truss don't all open at the same time meaning the buzz needs repeating.

On a small scale, like mine with eight plants, shaking the plants is used but possibly with less success. I've never tried these techniques but have considered it for 2-3 years as I increasingly worry about the dearth of insects. My greenhouse door is always open giving through ventilation and I suspect this aids pollination.

About 10% of plant species rely on buzz pollination. The huge reduction in pollinating insect populations is a massive threat to both wild and commercial plants.

The commercial tomato nursery I worked for would buy and release tens of thousands of bees into the glasshouses. The bee is a great pollinator as it will repeatedly visit the same plant. On a tomato truss the flower nearest the stem opens first so as the truss opens up repeated pollination is needed.

 

[Tenkaykev]

I'm not quite sure are you telling us or asking?

Bumble bees or solitary bees release pollen by vibrating, "buzzing", the flower and so dislodging the pollen from the anthers. I don't think touching the back of the leaves would replicate this but touching the flower with a battery powered toothbrush would mimic the action and is a recognised technique. The difficulty I see with the technique is that the flowers on a tomato truss don't all open at the same time meaning the buzz needs repeating.

On a small scale, like mine with eight plants, shaking the plants is used but possibly with less success. I've never tried these techniques but have considered it for 2-3 years as I increasingly worry about the dearth of insects. My greenhouse door is always open giving through ventilation and I suspect this aids pollination.

About 10% of plant species rely on buzz pollination. The huge reduction in pollinating insect populations is a massive threat to both wild and commercial plants.

The commercial tomato nursery I worked for would buy and release tens of thousands of bees into the glasshouses. The bee is a great pollinator as it will repeatedly visit the same plant. On a tomato truss the flower nearest the stem opens first so as the truss opens up repeated pollination is needed.

Thanks Paul, I find information like this fascinating, “ every day’s a learning day “ . We have lots of Lavender plants in the garden and we’re looking to add more. They seem to be Bee magnets!

 

[Dirk]

Morning all

Blimey, I'm here before Welshie and DaveR.

Finally completed on my Dad's house sale yesterday after numerous setbacks. It's been such a damned frustrating process. Initially, I thought it would all be done and dusted by the end of March. I hadn't factored in the incompetence of Estate Agents, Solicitors and Mortgage Lenders. Talk about a three ringed circus!
Still....it's all done now and time to celebrate.

Off to our mates in Minehead for Fish Friday and an overnight stay today.

 

[PaulSB]

Thanks Paul, I find information like this fascinating, “ every day’s a learning day “ . We have lots of Lavender plants in the garden and we’re looking to add more. They seem to be Bee magnets!

Yep, lavender is a bee magnet. I'm far from a bee expert but I believe "buzz" bees are solitary whereas the majority you will see on your lavender are honey bees.

Delighted to read you are planning more insect loving plants. A couple of observations; many modern plants are hybrids and therefore sterile, bugger all use to a bee. Try to find a range of plants which spread flowering through the season. Bumble bees love thistle flowers, there are many beautiful ornamental thistles, and I literally have seen 10-12 on a single flower and they will "camp out" overnight on the flowers in rain! The bee equivalent of crack coccaine!!

Modern bedding plants are almost all F1 hybrids and totally sterile, don't be fooled by bees flying in and out of them. Also be aware of "bee friendly" labels, I'm not convinced by these. A little research will go a long way.

Leaving a patch of grass to grow and flower all summer is both beautiful and will benefit a wide range of insects.

Sorry to bang on about this, I know I must be a touch boring on it, but this is such an important subject. The humble wasp is your friend. 🤣

 

[Mo1959]

Morning. A long lie for me. Wasn’t really sleeping but couldn’t be bothered moving.

Another fresher day thank goodness. Back to a flatter day at the cycling which I don’t usually enjoy as much but I’ll probably watch as it’s become such an interesting tour this year.

It was old crime tv watching last night with a Vera, The Coroner and a Blue Murder.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Good morning folks.

 

[welsh dragon]

I'm not quite sure are you telling us or asking?

Bumble bees or solitary bees release pollen by vibrating, "buzzing", the flower and so dislodging the pollen from the anthers. I don't think touching the back of the leaves would replicate this but touching the flower with a battery powered toothbrush would mimic the action and is a recognised technique. The difficulty I see with the technique is that the flowers on a tomato truss don't all open at the same time meaning the buzz needs repeating.

On a small scale, like mine with eight plants, shaking the plants is used but possibly with less success. I've never tried these techniques but have considered it for 2-3 years as I increasingly worry about the dearth of insects. My greenhouse door is always open giving through ventilation and I suspect this aids pollination.

About 10% of plant species rely on buzz pollination. The huge reduction in pollinating insect populations is a massive threat to both wild and commercial plants.

The commercial tomato nursery I worked for would buy and release tens of thousands of bees into the glasshouses. The bee is a great pollinator as it will repeatedly visit the same plant. On a tomato truss the flower nearest the stem opens first so as the truss opens up repeated pollination is needed.

Mr WD tends to use a very small brush to distribute the pollen.

 

[welsh dragon]

Coooeee. 14 deg here and a cooler fresher feel to things. I'm not complaining though. There are storm warnings in Powys today from 10am to 10pm. Possible torrential rain, causing problems for travelling.

I will be slobbing in that case.

Stay safe peeps

 

[PaulSB]

Good morning. Stood outside in a drizzle waiting for my lift to the Lakes.

Have a good day!

 

[avsd]

Yep, lavender is a bee magnet. I'm far from a bee expert but I believe "buzz" bees are solitary whereas the majority you will see on your lavender are honey bees.

Delighted to read you are planning more insect loving plants. A couple of observations; many modern plants are hybrids and therefore sterile, bugger all use to a bee. Try to find a range of plants which spread flowering through the season. Bumble bees love thistle flowers, there are many beautiful ornamental thistles, and I literally have seen 10-12 on a single flower and they will "camp out" overnight on the flowers in rain! The bee equivalent of crack coccaine!!

Modern bedding plants are almost all F1 hybrids and totally sterile, don't be fooled by bees flying in and out of them. Also be aware of "bee friendly" labels, I'm not convinced by these. A little research will go a long way.

Leaving a patch of grass to grow and flower all summer is both beautiful and will benefit a wide range of insects.

Sorry to bang on about this, I know I must be a touch boring on it, but this is such an important subject. The humble wasp is your friend. 🤣

Hi @PaulSB

Does the 'sterile' issue apply to wild flowers grown from seed mix?

I am planning do a little more of "Leaving a patch of grass to grow and flower " after reading your posting. Thank you.

 

[Paulus]

Morning all.
The rain, forecast for this morning seems to forgone elsewhere.
Dog walking soon.
Yesterday's walk along the River Rib from Standon to Braughing was good. Part of it was along the old railway that used to run from Ware, serving many little villages, now small towns along the way. Another of Beechings cuts. It closed in 1964.
Lunch was had in the Golden Fleece in Braughing, with some local Berkhamstead Brewery ales. Templers Gold being especially good.🍺

 

[welsh dragon]

We have rain. That very fine soft rain that always seems to get you wetter than big plops

 

[numbnuts]

 

[Dave7]

Morning all .
We has rain as promised......no complaints from me there.
Was at Aldi for 0800 so shouldn't need anything this weekend (something for the weekend sir seems a long time ago )

 

[Mo1959]

Nice little wander done. It's lovely and fresh here this morning with a nice breeze. I feel so much better when it's like this. Even my Garmin sleep score was much better last night.