Hand Pollinating

**veggiechicken** · 14-04-2018, 08:42 PM

That's what I do, and make buzzing noises as I "paint" each flower.

**nickdub** · 14-04-2018, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by Bluenowhere View Post

This is probably a really silly question. I’ve got a patio peach tree with loads of blossom and despite bumble bee bumbling around it doesn’t seem interested in my tree.

So I want to pollinate it by hand. Is is just a matter of using a small brush and jiggling it about in each flower every day. I can’t obviously see any pollen coming off onto it. Is this right?

No such thing as a silly question - now silly answers that's another matter :-)

But, yes a small paintbrush, preferably one with fairly soft bristles, then a certain amount of stroking the open flowers near their centers ought to do the trick.

A few caveats which probably don't apply in your case, but just for others who may read this. :-
1) To work properly the pollen transferred has to be compatible - generally with most peach varieties this is not a problem as they are self-fertile, but with other sorts of fruit things can get more complicated
2) the weather needs to be warm enough for the pollen to take ie really cold days are useless
3) Other stuff can go wrong at this time, eg typically fruit flowers are at their most susceptible to frost when they are open - so a sharp frost can wipe out the whole potential crop on a tree.

**Bluenowhere** · 14-04-2018, 09:17 PM

Thanks.

1. Yes it’s a self fertile
2. Thanks, I didn’t realise that.
3. I’ve got some fleece covers at the ready (and as it’s potted at the ready to move under the car port for extra shelter) if a frost comes late like last year - end April for us in the south.

**mrbadexample** · 14-04-2018, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

That's what I do, and make buzzing noises as I "paint" each flower.

You're doing it wrong. You need to catch the bumble bee, tie it to the end of a stick and then you can poke it wherever it needs to go.

**Bluenowhere** · 15-04-2018, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by mrbadexample View Post

You're doing it wrong. You need to catch the bumble bee, tie it to the end of a stick and then you can poke it wherever it needs to go.

Was just about to capture her with the pva at the ready when remembered.

Originally posted by nickdub View Post

No such thing as a silly question - now silly answers that's another matter :-)

:

**Kirk** · 15-04-2018, 01:38 PM

Use a fine brush, very fine. I find a square/flat one better.
Pollen is likely further down the flower, the idea is the bee has to stick it heads well down for nectar etc so gets a coating, but at the next flower it just has to brush past the stamens to deposit pollen.

If you do stick a bee on the end of a stick then make sure you push it the correct end first down the flower. To identify if you have pollen on the bee do not use a buff ended bee - difficult to tell if you have pollen or not.

**nickdub** · 15-04-2018, 02:10 PM

I'm expecting someone to get a stern ticking off from the bee protection society any time soon, following on from this persecutory banter.

BTW had a grey-tailed bumble in and out my poly-tunnel notwithstanding the rain showers - good news for the prospect of some gooseberries later on ...

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