Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Sue32 on April 23, 2011, 17:58
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just got my Greenhouse operational and planted some toms in the border (bought from garden centre). just read this might be early but with good weather hope to get away with it. never had greenhouse or toms before!!
Question - do I have to do anything to pollinate the toms?
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Nothing much, just the occasional mist with a hose and a gentle tap on the stem.
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You could ask your butcher if he has a rabbit's tail ::) ? Tied to a stick it is very theraputic going round the greenhouse tickling the tomato blossoms. :D Cheers, Tony.
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If your greehouse is as small as mine, once your plants are growing well you will be accidentally knocking them slightly when you water/tie up/remove sideshoots. I've always had a good crop of tomatoes and cucumbers (even though they are not supposed to mix) but peppers and aubergines are better outside where the insects can get at them. :)
Unless, of course, you want to get a tickling stick and help them along. :D
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erm? just leave the door open on warm light breesy days :wacko:
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I tap the stems - same way as drumming my fingers on a table, but vertically on the stem.
Tomatoes are self fertilizing, they just need help to shed the pollen. Misting them can then help the pollen "germinate" and thus pollinate the flower which will then make the fruit.
But if you do nothing, just brush past them, or let them sway in the breeze with the door open, you'll probably still get a good crop.
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I'm with the others..I tap the canes in the morning when I open up the doors ;)