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Growing Tomatoes

Electric Bee/Pollinator: Where to buy in US

10 years ago

Hello All,

One of my friends is visiting US for a short duration. I need to get an electric Bee. The kind that is used in Greenhouses for pollination of tomatoes (http://www.amazon.com/Hydro-Gardens-Pollinator/dp/B0007R576S/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1337012683&sr=1-1). Where can I buy them online? BTW, what is the exact term for it?

Thanks,

Srikanth

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Comments (9)

Bets
10 years ago
Hi skoka123,

I have found that a battery operated tooth brush works well and costs quite a bit less. I usually just shake the plant vigorously, but when I wanted to use a mechanical device, when the bristles to one of ours got "funky" and need to be replaced, I'd relegate it to the garden. Right now we can buy "disposable" (can't change the brush head on them) battery operated toothbrushes for under $7-8 US.

I have seen them called Pollinating Wands. Unfortunately I can't recommend where to buy them online or offline. Yoy linked to one at Amazon / Hydro Gardens, why not order from them?

Betsy
skoka123
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Betsy,

Thanks for your response. I have read that the frequency of the vibration of the pollinating wands is what makes the pollination successful. Due to this reason electric toothbrushes do not really add much value compared to not using any at all. I may be wrong with this information but that is what I remember reading in some books (can't recall which one). I believe the yield can increase by 20% when using a wand. Did you notice any % increase by using the toothbrush? In case I do not get a wand then I might try the toothbrush on some rows of tomatoes as an experiment.

The amazon link I gave does not give me details of the length and seriously lacks product information. If the wand is too long then it will not fit in my friend's suitcase.

Thanks,
Srikanth
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miesenbacher
10 years ago
Go to the link and scroll down. They have two different types.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pollinator
skoka123
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi miesenbacher,

Thanks for the link.
mickyfinn6777
10 years ago
I have used an electric toothbrush for about five years now and always have excellent results from it, but- the high frequency ones are better than standard toothbrushes if you can get one at the right price, and used on the highest speed available-they produce absolute showers of pollen on the right high pollen days and quite a bit on dull low pollen days, and of course they are all re-chargable batteries, half an hour on the charger and away you go again.
skoka123
Original Author
10 years ago
Hello mickyfinn,

What brand and model of the toothbrush would you suggest? Did you use it in a greenhouse? Do you touch the bristles or back of the brush head to the trusses?
mickyfinn6777
10 years ago
Any popular brand of toothbrush will do, but mine says Sonic on it. If you use the back of the toothbrush rather than the bristle side it seems to vibrate more and does a better job, the bristles seem to cushion the effect, any Sonic type toothbrush will do the job, and last for years.
skoka123
Original Author
10 years ago
OK. Thanks.
luvahydrangea
10 years ago
I grow tomatoes indoors hydroponically and I always use an electric toothbrush (sonic). The pollen goes everywhere and the results are excellent.

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