Melissa1982
On The Way Up
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
Location: California
Posts: 101
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Shaking by wind will release pollen. But not all types of tomatoes respond to wind the same. Most commercially chosen types to grow for open air will respond to wind very well. But if you are growing those rare-to-find species, wind may not be enough (that is why they are not selected for commercial production).
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Hmmm.....I have all heirloom types, maybe that is also why I only have 3 tomatoes. I tried shaking them. But, still no more...what a sad garden.  Oh well, I'll try again next year! 
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kuntrygal
Texas Rose
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Lufkin, TX Zone 8
Posts: 1681
PlantStew: 51 |
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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WOW, what informative posts from Sjoerd and nan1234. Information just about everyone can benefit from! 
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Gaylyn ~ 2277  GO DALLAS COWBOYS !!!
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nan1234
On The Way Up
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Melissa, I have all heirloom types too, for instance, red pears. I use electric toothbrush once a week. It takes me less than 10 minutes for 10 tomato plants. I only need to touch the flower stem one or two seconds. I can see the pollen dust when I use the brush to buzz on them. Each of my tomato plants full of fruits.
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nan1234
On The Way Up
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Gardengater,
If you have have bumble bees but few blossoms on the plants, an electric tooth brush will not help.
But if you are looking for an electric tooth brush, you'll need to find the one that viberates the same frequency as bumble bee. Some ultra sonic type does not work. Sonicare's frequency is about 41,000, a bit too high than bumble bee (26,000). I use Oral-B's Sonic Complete S-320 Deluxe. It has three different viberation modes. The middle mode has a frequency of 30,000. You cannot find those information outside. I have to call the company to get these techinical information. However, someone claims that the brush at 41,000 works well too. If it is that case, you can buy the cheepest one with normal batteries and one viberation mode.
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flowerpower313
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Location: Catskill Mtns NY Z5
Posts: 118
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:36 am Post subject: |
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So I guess you rinse off the brush if you have more than one variety? It doesn't matter if they are hybrids or OP's (heirloom), they can cross if you leave pollen residue on there.
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Melissa1982
On The Way Up
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
Location: California
Posts: 101
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:06 am Post subject: |
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Hmm, that's very interesting about the tooth brush! Thank you for that little tid bit!
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nan1234
On The Way Up
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: |
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Flowerpower, pollination is done inside the tomato flowers. There is no cross pollination. Pollen are released onto the sticky surface of the stigma in the same flower. To cross pollination of tomato, you have to cut the flower open, which is a quite complicated procedure done by breeders. There is no need to rinse the brush. Actually, you do not need the brush head. It is the viberation that takes the action.
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flowerpower313
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Location: Catskill Mtns NY Z5
Posts: 118
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:24 am Post subject: |
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It took me a while, but I did find actual scientific studies on the topic. Most recommend using vibration in a greenhouse setting due to the lack of wind and pollinators. I did check with some lg scale mater growers, not one uses this method for pollination. I also asked breeder Tom Wagner if he has done this. Not once in his 40 yrs of breeding work has he used an electric toothbrush. Said his wife wouldn't let him use the toothbrush outside lol. Tom has developed some well known varieties such as Green Zebra, Brown Derby, Green Sausage (greensleeves), and Banana Legs. So I guess its all personal preference.
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