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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 11:00 am Post subject: I need bees |
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There is a distinct lack of pollination going on in my glasshouse. The tomato plants, approx. 20, have hundreds of yellow flowers and very little fruit. The melons and squashes are much the same, dozens of flowers and not one fruit. I have two aubergine plants and only yesterday noticed the first fruit. I leave the doors and windows open during the day for a few hours to no avail. For next year what can I sow that will draw in the pollinators that will not take up too much room? _________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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tippben Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 921 Location: north tipperary
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 11:38 am Post subject: |
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At the moment, both honey and bumble bees are going for my Bergamot, Mints, Scabious, Corn Poppies and Borage. |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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For pollinating tomatoes, Aubergines, melons you need bumble bees only bumblebees can provide sonification which is the vibrating of the thorax muscles not wings to release pollen from these flowers. therefore you need to plant Lambs ear, Cat mint, Marjoram to name just three to attract them to your garden.
Honey bees are no good to you for pollinating these plants.
1. They do not fly early in the day before any nectar available dries out in the heat of the greenhouse.
2. They do not fly in damp humid enviorment of glasshouses.
3. They exhibit floral fidility and a couple of tomatoe plants will not entice them to collect pollen if there is something more appatising nearer there hive in larger quantities.
4. They cannot buzz pollinate.
Buzz pollinated tomatoe plants will have a bruising on the end of the flower where the bumblebee grasped the flower to buzz..
http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/bees-pollinate-tomatoes.html
"I know this is a family show" but you could call into Anne Summers and buy a vibrator they tell me in Australia they used them all the time before the introduction of Bumblebees there. it wll be a thrill to see them at work (The bees that is)  |
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Blowin Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 930 Location: Drimoleague, Co Cork
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Now, that should be worth seeing. Tagwex in AS on Youtube. _________________ A novice gardener on newly cultivated, stoney ground. |
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Greengage, very informative. Looks like I may go out with my net and catch a few bumble bees and lock them in! Orrr go buy some marjoram.
As for you Blowin, how do you not know that I may have one already? _________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for that Greengage, I was joking about locking them in as I do leave the vents and door open most days. My one concern now is that it is most likely too late to get a crop this year. _________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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I think Chutney might be the best option for now. |
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