how does pollinization take place with out bees
 

In a green house set up , how does pollinization take place with out bees etc?? plants we wish to grow are tomatoes, tobacco, and some other assorted vegies...thanks

With some fans to blow the pollen around and they do sell a vibrating tool for 20 bucks to shake the pollen from the flowers.

I watched a video not long ago where a guy used a toothpick to feel around the bloom of the flower and transfer it to another by feeling around in it lightly. Same concept as a bee, bit tedious.

Some plants don't need bees to pollinate, air currents (natural, or by oscillating fans) are enough to circulate the pollen from flower to flower. But in cases where that does not work, hand pollination is an option. Toothpicks may work, but a small soft paint brush (like for water coloring) works well (the smaller, and softer the better). There is also another option called "Blue Bottle flies", they don't pollinate because they need the pollen. They like fresh meat like all flies, but they are attracted to the nectar of flowers and pollinate as they rest from flower to flower.

Just a note on brush pollinating; each flower puts out enough pollen to pollinate an entire bush if it were evenly distributed. You don't have to be too concerned with getting *all* the pollen from each flower. Just dip the brush in, wiggle it a bit and move on. A half second in each flower will pollinate it completely. Mother Nature gives each flower that much to ensure survival of the species.

You can also do a *Bush Shake* if you have a gentle breeze blowing. You gently grab the main stalk and firmly, but gently shake the plant. This will knock the pollen from the flowers and it will go airborne and hit most if not all of the other flowers. I'd do this *after* using the brush to make sure you didn't miss any.

Some plants have male and female flowers, other have both male female parts in the same flower, some have male and female plants and others have the male and female parts at different locations on the same plant.

Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelons, and Cucumbers all have male and female flowers. Look closely at the base of the flower the female will have the small fruit below it, the males will not. The way i pollinate those is, remove the male flowers from the plant, and carefully remove the petals from the flower. Than carefully hold the open female flower and rub the male around inside the female, making sure to touch all the female flower parts with the pollen.

Plants like Tomatoes and Green Beans have both the male and female parts inside the same flower. For those I just give them a good shake everyday.

Plants like Corn the Tassel is the male part and the silk on the ears are the female parts. A fan will normally work for these.

Other plants like Asparagus have male and female plants, normally you only plant the males, because you don't want the plants making seed and over crowding the growing area.

Most big Green Houses will buy Bumblebee hives and use those to pollinate their tomato plants.

I hope this helps.