Flicking Brandywines?

Talon1189 · June 30, 2010

I have read that Brandywines in general are a lower producing fruit plant. I have also read that "flicking" the flowers with your fingers or shaking the plants every few days helps these plants produce more fruit. Is there any truth to this or just another hoax? I have only 1 plant and want the most fruit possible from it

Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>Talon

Vince · June 30, 2010

This may help. Better yet, Buy an electric toothbrush for a couple bucks. They are much more efficient at dislodging the pollen from the anthers than simple flicking.

Talon1189 · June 30, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

This may help. Better yet, Buy an electric toothbrush for a couple bucks. They are much more efficient at dislodging the pollen from the anthers than simple flicking.

Thanks for the input!

**carolyn137** · June 30, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talon1189

I have read that Brandywines in general are a lower producing fruit plant. I have also read that "flicking" the flowers with your fingers or shaking the plants every few days helps these plants produce more fruit. Is there any truth to this or just another hoax? I have only 1 plant and want the most fruit possible from it

Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>Talon

Yes it's true.

In MI you would not be having prolonged periods of high heat which destroys pollen, nor same for high humidity which clumps pollen so you're dealing with just ole stubborn Brandywine.

If flicking blossoms it's too easy to accidentally knock them off so I suggest you just shake the plants a couple of times each day and/or take a broom to them and gently whack them a couple of tomes a day.

danwigz · July 1, 2010

I have three brandywines growing and had some flowers just fall off for no apparent reason. I started flicking my flowers/shaking the entire cage system, and have seen an increase in the amount of flowers staying on the plant. (this could have other factors involved, but I like the idea of an easy fix)

Danwigz

camochef · July 2, 2010

Talon,

I have quite a few different Brandywine and Brandywine crosses growing, all in cages. I'm a firm believer in shaking each cage a couple times/day to increase pollination. This year in particular as it's been very hot and humid here for what is beginning to seem like forever.
I apply this to all varieties that have those larger than average blossoms. Especially during higher temperatures and higher humidity...it does make a significant difference.
Camo

pete · July 2, 2010

My son flicked his friend's sister named Brandy and she did whine, but did not get anymore fruit.

Shake the cages when the plants are dry!!!!

Fred in Maine · July 2, 2010

In my zone 5, I can be fairly aggressive in roughing up blossoms. Blossom drop due to heat is never a problem. And I've never had a blossom fall due to agitation.

Some people use an electric toothbrush to shake the flowers. I have used a small vibrator that I bought at Brookstones at the mall. I never place it directly on any flower, rather on the stems of the truss near the flowers. This works very well for me. I can actually see a small cloud of pollen when I do this.

Brandywines are notorious for low production, but by using a vibrator to ensure the best chance of pollination of every flower, I "think" I am getting the most from every blossom on each truss.

June 30, 2010	#1
Talon1189 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a Posts: 421	Flicking Brandywines? I have read that Brandywines in general are a lower producing fruit plant. I have also read that "flicking" the flowers with your fingers or shaking the plants every few days helps these plants produce more fruit. Is there any truth to this or just another hoax? I have only 1 plant and want the most fruit possible from it Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>Talon __________________ Always looking for a better way to grow tomatoes ..........

June 30, 2010	#2
Vince Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 942	This may help. Better yet, Buy an electric toothbrush for a couple bucks. They are much more efficient at dislodging the pollen from the anthers than simple flicking. __________________ Vince

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July 1, 2010	#5
danwigz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 150	I have three brandywines growing and had some flowers just fall off for no apparent reason. I started flicking my flowers/shaking the entire cage system, and have seen an increase in the amount of flowers staying on the plant. (this could have other factors involved, but I like the idea of an easy fix) Danwigz

July 2, 2010	#6
camochef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 707	Talon, I have quite a few different Brandywine and Brandywine crosses growing, all in cages. I'm a firm believer in shaking each cage a couple times/day to increase pollination. This year in particular as it's been very hot and humid here for what is beginning to seem like forever. I apply this to all varieties that have those larger than average blossoms. Especially during higher temperatures and higher humidity...it does make a significant difference. Camo

July 2, 2010	#7
pete Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 202	My son flicked his friend's sister named Brandy and she did whine, but did not get anymore fruit. Shake the cages when the plants are dry!!!!

July 2, 2010	#8
Fred in Maine Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Maine Coast Posts: 19	In my zone 5, I can be fairly aggressive in roughing up blossoms. Blossom drop due to heat is never a problem. And I've never had a blossom fall due to agitation. Some people use an electric toothbrush to shake the flowers. I have used a small vibrator that I bought at Brookstones at the mall. I never place it directly on any flower, rather on the stems of the truss near the flowers. This works very well for me. I can actually see a small cloud of pollen when I do this. Brandywines are notorious for low production, but by using a vibrator to ensure the best chance of pollination of every flower, I "think" I am getting the most from every blossom on each truss.