Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,794
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I usually amend my container soils with commercial compost, but this year it wasn't available, so I used my own compost from the garden - a place where insects rule supreme. I've never used any pesticides and come summer the place is buzzing with bumblebees and many many insects I don't even know what they are.
The upshot... my "pollinator excluded" greenhouse has its own bees this year. ![]() I guess my question is, what rate of crossed seed is expected where sweat bees are common? |
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#2 | |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a
Posts: 21,169
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![]() Quote:
http://www.southernexposure.com/isol...es-ezp-35.html Please keep in mind that Jeff was doing seed production for a lot of the varieties he listed at SESE and IMO his isolation distances are too conservative.And they were since he WAS commercial. What is very valuable are all the other variables that he mentioned that can determine the occurence and rates of X pollination. Carolyn
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Carolyn |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,794
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Thanks so much, Carolyn! I'll read it.
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,794
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Well... the isolation distance in the greenhouse is pretty much zero. I guess I should consider bagging some blossoms.
I was thinking perhaps the earliest fruit would be okay, but I don't know exactly when these critters emerged, either. And they do seem to have a secretive lifestyle.. This is a great video of a sweat bee on a tomato flower! ![]() https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXHksIkAqLA |
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