Electric Toothbrush

[jmsieglaff]

Will a battery powered electric toothbrush shake pollen out of flowers like a VegiBee?

[PhilaGardener]

I believe that is what some folks use . . .

[Salsacharley]

Electric toothbrushes work like a charm. They shake the pollen great if the flower is at the right stage. I've used them for 4 years.

[KarenO]

me too. works fine.
KarenO

[jmsieglaff]

Great! Thanks all! The $2.99 brush was a better buy than the VegiBee I was considering. I even have black spoons laying around the house.

[natural]

I think the toothbrush is fine if you do not have many plants.

I preferred the vegi-bee because I was pollinating dozens of plants and the long wand was a better ergonomic device. I did not have to extend my arm and shoulder nearly as much with the vegi-bee. I had much less upper shoulder and neck tightness. Again, I only see this as an issue if you pollinate alot of plants.

[jmsieglaff]

It should serve me just fine. I'm just looking to use it to collect some pollen to do a cross or two. Maybe I'll keep it in my pocket and buzz blossoms occasionally as well.

[nicollas]

As i have no electric toothbrush, i plan to try with a device to make milk mousse

[Cole_Robbie]

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=32735

[NarnianGarden]

Yes, electric toothbrush is my go-to gardening tool!

Milk foamer? Now that's one I never saw before in this context, but I am sure it works fine!

[Gardeneer]

I just tap gently, repeatedly on the truss, whenever i see one in bloom, within my reach.
A gentle breeze can do a better job, if you have no bees. The pollen will fall if the air is not sticky humid , anyway.

[nicollas]

What is the goal of shaking ? Better self-pollination or getting pollen to hand pollinate another flower ? I guess relevance of different tools varies depending on the answer

[jmsieglaff]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=32735

I should get one, maybe bright pink, and see what the neighbors say when I'm walking around the garden.

Originally Posted by nicollas

What is the goal of shaking ? Better self-pollination or getting pollen to hand pollinate another flower ? I guess relevance of different tools varies depending on the answer

Mine is mainly for collecting pollen to do a cross. I may buzz flowers for better self-pollination if needed, but I generally don't have issues with fruit set here, unless in a heat wave. I bought a kid's electric toothbrush on clearance for $2.99--and it just takes batteries.

[Worth1]

I think it is deviant behavior there should be laws against it.

Worth

[jmsieglaff]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I think it is deviant behavior there should be laws against it.

Worth