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Valencia Spain

as i use a toothbrush for pollinating do i collect the pollen that falls then put it on the stigma and how u put it on a stigma u use a kids paintbrush or a makeup brush?

2/24/2018 11:41:26 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

I use a black plastic spoon under the flower when vibrating. I use a makebrush brush to paint the stigma with pollen. A kids paintbrush should work too. Some growers also have just carefully rubbed the spoon gently against the stigma to scrap off the pollen. I used to use that method but much of the pollen ends up being deposited on an area of the flower other than the stigma. Even if you just vibrate without adding the dropped pollen back into the flower you will be ahead in pollination.

2/24/2018 12:57:41 PM

Valencia Spain

ThAnks m8

2/24/2018 1:09:15 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

All this pollination stuff is confusing. Does this need done if you just plan on open pollinations? Vibrate what? Paint on where? I’m confused. I have never hand pollinated eating tomato’s and they grow fine for me. School me on this?

2/24/2018 3:16:08 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Tomatoes usually will pollinate fine outdoors..if you have wind and or insect pollinators. The really big blossoms sometimes won't get fully pollinated without a little help. It is sad when you see that monster blossom..and then when it sets it is only 1/2 pollinated. If you take pollen from every open blossom plant and introduce it back to all parts of the stamen of the monster you can get full sets. Sometimes, it would not make a difference but to get the best chance of a full set it really helps. I have also noticed..the tomatoes I get with the bigger seed count actually grow larger for me. The extra time to help with pollination leads to bigger tomatoes in my mind.

2/24/2018 4:00:07 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

sorry..not stamen...stigma...i always make mistakes typing..mixing up the s words.

Jay, this is how I collect the pollen:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=285233

2/24/2018 4:44:45 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Interesting Bob. So you vibrate the blossom and catch pollen that falls out and then use that pollen to brush back on the stigma? I guess I need an anatomy lesson on tomato blossoms. Lol

2/25/2018 12:11:24 AM

Valencia Spain

In Valencia spain tomatoes set crap if i dont use anything no sets and thats on eaters

2/25/2018 12:04:51 PM