Post by kctomato on Jun 25, 2013 14:33:02 GMT -5
I have been doing this for awhile not just to collect pollen for crossing but to increase fruit set, size and seed counts. I wonder if others knew this helps.
With almost all self pollinated crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, peas, etc) one can help increase their yields and fruit size by helping to stimulate the pollination process through releasing more pollen. All it really takes is some shaking of the flower at the right time and that should help more pollen find its way to beginning the fertilization process.
Doing this to your plants to ensure fruit and larger fruit is great but I would also note it could also help seed savers collect even more seed per fruit.
I have been using electric toothbrushes or in the past devices that were MacGyver'neered for that purpose. There have also been commercial sources that made them (now out of business). Toothbrushes work okay and some work better than others in being more effective at pollen shed. If trying to collect pollen electric toothbrushes can be problematic. Their brushes get in the way, their size can make it difficult and most of all they tend to vibrate at frequencies which are not as effective at releasing max amounts of pollen.
Dr. Randy Gardner collecting pollen at NCSU 1994
On twitter I took part in a conversation about pollinating. One person @vegibeellc chimed in and said they had a product that was designed specifically for this purpose. Others seemed skeptical but I stayed opened and finally just said "okay send me one I'll try it!" Next day i get a message asking for a contact address. Well THEY SENT ME ONE! I just received it. I am so psyched to try it but it's raining at the moment.
I'll let you all know what I think. They sent me the Cadillac model! It is pretty pricey but comes with different sized wands, operates at 5 different speeds between 29,000-40,000 vibrations per minute, rechargeable battery complete with a docking station and AC or USB connectors, and a pollen collecting spoon. The battery operated "economy model" isn't as expensive (see link below). I am not sure most would want to pay this price. But for making crosses or those growing in greenhouses it may be worth the price. Because I am not doing crosses in a greenhouse pollen collection is my most limiting step. It takes a certain touch to get the toothbrush to shed well compared to other devices I used in the past (which vibrated faster and werent as bulky). I AM PSYCHED to find something that should help me!
I will update what I think of it as I start to use it. If I can find someone to hold a camera I may even post a video.
Oh the company, based in Saint Louis (Yeah Missouri!) is called VegiBee vegibee.com/
With almost all self pollinated crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, peas, etc) one can help increase their yields and fruit size by helping to stimulate the pollination process through releasing more pollen. All it really takes is some shaking of the flower at the right time and that should help more pollen find its way to beginning the fertilization process.
Doing this to your plants to ensure fruit and larger fruit is great but I would also note it could also help seed savers collect even more seed per fruit.
I have been using electric toothbrushes or in the past devices that were MacGyver'neered for that purpose. There have also been commercial sources that made them (now out of business). Toothbrushes work okay and some work better than others in being more effective at pollen shed. If trying to collect pollen electric toothbrushes can be problematic. Their brushes get in the way, their size can make it difficult and most of all they tend to vibrate at frequencies which are not as effective at releasing max amounts of pollen.
Dr. Randy Gardner collecting pollen at NCSU 1994
On twitter I took part in a conversation about pollinating. One person @vegibeellc chimed in and said they had a product that was designed specifically for this purpose. Others seemed skeptical but I stayed opened and finally just said "okay send me one I'll try it!" Next day i get a message asking for a contact address. Well THEY SENT ME ONE! I just received it. I am so psyched to try it but it's raining at the moment.
I'll let you all know what I think. They sent me the Cadillac model! It is pretty pricey but comes with different sized wands, operates at 5 different speeds between 29,000-40,000 vibrations per minute, rechargeable battery complete with a docking station and AC or USB connectors, and a pollen collecting spoon. The battery operated "economy model" isn't as expensive (see link below). I am not sure most would want to pay this price. But for making crosses or those growing in greenhouses it may be worth the price. Because I am not doing crosses in a greenhouse pollen collection is my most limiting step. It takes a certain touch to get the toothbrush to shed well compared to other devices I used in the past (which vibrated faster and werent as bulky). I AM PSYCHED to find something that should help me!
I will update what I think of it as I start to use it. If I can find someone to hold a camera I may even post a video.
Oh the company, based in Saint Louis (Yeah Missouri!) is called VegiBee vegibee.com/
Two years ago, I borrowed an
