[Subversive_plot]

I read on another thread about tomatoes developing trusses, and flowers blooming, but low fruit set.

I saw a presentation on various species of bees, and pollination mechanisms for various plants.  Tomatoes included.  It seems that tomatoes are often " buzz pollinated", relying on a bee's vibration to distribute the pollen from one part of the flower to another, and setting fruit.  Some bees are more efficient at buzz pollination than others. Our native bumble bees are efficient, while honeybees can do the work, but are less efficient.

The important tip: if you are not getting the kind of fruit set that you want, you can imitate a bee's vibration by using a finger to rapidly tickle (or flick) each yellow flower on the plant. I was shown how to do this as a child, by my mother (without really knowing why it worked).  I continue to use this technique this year, with many fruits forming.

Try it, I hope this method of pollination works for you.

[Growster...]

That's fascinating, SP!

An old boy on the allotments showed me once how some bees get their beaks in a runner bean flower from the side at the base, and therefore ruining the chance of a bean forming, but your post is most interesting!

I was also half-wondering about pollination on GH toms the other day, and was going to do a post on that very subject!

[mikem]

My tomatoes got enough tickling yesterday with the gales!

[mumofstig]

My tomatoes got enough tickling yesterday with the gales!

Same here! Even in the greenhouse there was a good 'rustling' going on 

[Subversive_plot]

That's fascinating, SP!

An old boy on the allotments showed me once how some bees get their beaks in a runner bean flower from the side at the base, and therefore ruining the chance of a bean forming, but your post is most interesting!

I was also half-wondering about pollination on GH toms the other day, and was going to do a post on that very subject!

Hi Growster

I find the subject of pollination fascinating, especially the interactions between pollinator insects and plants, and the various adaptations by plants to "trick" insects into doing the pollination, and insect adaptations to get around the dodge.  Orchids are particularly devious; sometime look up the Hammer Orchid and David Attenborough's description of it!

Your story of the bees turning tables on the bean flowers is fascinating, and shows the bees can gain the upper hand as well.

As for GH tomatoes, I am sure the "tickling" trick will improve pollination.  I do notice that bees sometimes find their way into a greenhouse.

[Subversive_plot]

My tomatoes got enough tickling yesterday with the gales!

I hope there was no serious damage!

[Growster...]

SP, a good chum on the allotments has retired, and is making cross-pollination into a bit of a hobby, or even better!

He has a special greenhouse in which he is cross-breeding geraniums, and has now introduced a 'nonsuch' for his troubles! He has to sit out there, watching them sometimes, while bees etc. are around, and keeps his original plants inside plastic bags to prevent said bees from belting around and spreading it around, like they do!

Fascinating subject really, I don't have the patience, but it must be very rewarding - he certainly thinks so, and so does his wife, as he's named it after her!

Mind you, a few years ago, I got hold of some of the first 'Crimson Crush' toms, and did an experiment with them over the next three years using just their own seed. One particular result was that just three plants out of several resown year on year, went a totally different way, looked different, had different fruit, and were quite fun to log and report on...

It's here somewhere - goodness knows where, I'll try and find it...

[Subversive_plot]

Growster, I like your story about your chum and his geraniums. 

I grow orchids, and have tried doing the same with orchid cultivars.  I do have one selected orchid cultivar that I named after my wife!

Growing orchids from seed is a long pains-taking process, that requires laboratory procedures (including flasks, agar and such).  I have tried it before at home - quasi-successful, but never again!  When I have made a cross, I send the seed to a lab to grow and produce seedlings.  I have some seeds at a lab right now.