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Dodge city

Ok I git a megabloom and I was wondering how to pollinate it during the day when it's 92 degrees out. Do I need to use a tooth brush or cotton swab to pollinate it successfully.. and this is my first time after growing by seed since April 20th.

6/13/2021 6:39:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

I've been using a sonicare on mine it seems to be working. Give it a quick buzz twice a day? I'm placing the toothbrush under the blossom with bristles up. Hopefully this catches the pollen and vibrates some of it onto the stigmas. You do want good pollination. They can shed pollen from when they are light yellow to canary yellow which is about two days if all parts of the mega are blooming simultaneously. It may take a few days for all parts to open. Once the petals get a dull yellow color pollination is over. You'll see the baby tomato growing shortly thereafter, hopefully

6/14/2021 6:17:56 AM

Grittyville, WA

Tapping it with your finger or a regular toothbrush or cotton swab could work ok too but I think an old sonicare toothbrush can mimic a bumblebee very well.

6/14/2021 6:27:21 AM

Walla Walla Wa.

I personally would never use a electric toothbrush. Just saying.

6/14/2021 10:15:23 AM

Grittyville, WA

Well I have an old one that is only used for tomatoes and it's been bleached. I dont know a better way... how do you do it Dan?

6/14/2021 11:16:07 AM

Walla Walla Wa.

Use an soft artist brush carefully.

6/14/2021 4:07:22 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

With a toothbrush your likely to vibrate so intensely that the pollen is likely to be shaken so drastically that it will fall down and miss its target.

6/14/2021 4:09:56 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

To avoid damage to the flower or a violent pollination, I just vibrate the stem of the flower lower down at a lower speed with the back or side of the toothbrush. I have seen what you’re saying Dan.

6/14/2021 5:46:57 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

…and regarding pollinating in the 90F+ temps, I use a pole and tie wrap an umbrella over the plant, sometimes at an angle towards the sun. It diffuses some of the blazing direct sun and heat. Good luck.

6/14/2021 5:51:17 PM

Grittyville, WA

Thanks that does sound like a smarter way.

6/15/2021 1:21:23 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

How do you use the artist brush ?

6/15/2021 8:01:34 AM

Walla Walla Wa.

I usually get pollen from another blossom and very gently distribute it onto the stigmas with the brush.

6/15/2021 10:39:04 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Gotcha.
Might give that a shot.
Thanks Dan.

6/15/2021 4:52:53 PM

Dodge city

Ok thank you everyone for the tips on pollinating the tomato. It successfully set and I have to pinch the other blooms around it.

6/15/2021 5:25:59 PM