hey now~~ I have a question fr all of you gardeners out there...i haven't seen any bees yet in the garden, and we have all kinds of flowers on the veggies...should i hand pollinate? have any of you ever done it? and what do i use to transfer pollen...i was so excited that our garden was all flowering, but there's no bees any idea's? thanks! ~Peace~
They are probably being pollinated, just you don't see any of them. You can hand pollinate if you feel you really need to, jus' be gentle
Depends on what you're growing. Tomatoes, beans and peppers will self pollinate. Most herbs and leafy vegtables (lettuce, cabbage) pollinators don't matter. But some things (corn, cucumbers, squash, and some fruit trees) need help. There are many insects (plus wind and hummingbirds) that are pollinators, but none are as good as the good old honey bee. Problem is that wild and domestic populations of bees have almost been wiped out due to mites and other problems. For hand pollinating info try: http://tomclothier.hort.net/seedsav5.html or http://www.rachelssupply.com/gourdpol.htm or http://tomclothier.hort.net/seedsav5.html
it's not just the bees its all sorts of different insects that help with pollination, and the wind and the rain, i have only had to hand pollinate with squashes, and melons.
yeah, we have zuchini, as well as yellow squash, cucumbers, and watermelons...those were what i was mainly worried with...i know that beans and tomatoes were self pollinators, and corn was wind pollinated...good to know about the peppers...i think that covers most of what we're growing thanks for all the help everyone!! many hugs! ~Peace~
you could look into attracting blue orchard bees. i've seen some really pretty looking bee houses for sale at the farmers' markets around here for the blue orchard bees. i guess if you put out a nesting box, the bees will come.
Hand pollination is done by collecting pollen from male stamen flowers and simply applying to the female pistals with a quetip.As easy as that!You should really not worry as most species of plants self pollinate and do not require wind or a carrier as means of pollination!