Any guesses ?

[nickdub]

For reasons which include my laziness, historic decisions, the layout of my garden and new problems with deer, I decided to build a new poly-tunnel last year on a bit of land which already had plants in place.

Now, after having moved a few things, I'm left among others with two large gooseberry bushes, two tayberries and a blackcurrant inside the tunnel. Obviously I'll leave the tunnel open during the day at both ends when these are flowering, so does anyone care to predict whether pollination will be a problem or not ?

(The aim is to move most of these plants out next winter BTW )

[Jimny14]

My guess is less pollination than when they were outside but probably not noticeable, what is more likely to screw up your crop is forgetting to water them

[nickdub]

I'm with you on the watering - Iv'e been keeping the soil moist round the roots, but its a bit of a drag. Serves me right for not getting the moving work done over winter of course.

[burnie]

Tayberries are a Scottish invention and may not be used to heat(they don't get much up here)and Guzzgogs are also grown up here in large fields commercially, so they might not like the heat either(not noticed any currents growing commercially though).

[nickdub]

Tayberries are a Scottish invention and may not be used to heat(they don't get much up here)and Guzzgogs are also grown up here in large fields commercially, so they might not like the heat either(not noticed any currents growing commercially though).

Yep - my thoughts too - its going to be a balancing act between not cooking the soft fruit, and trying to keep some tomato plants happy. On the up side the birds and other beasties used to get most of the fruit before, so if I do manage to harvest a bit it will be a plus compared with previous years.

[ESBkevin]

I'd move them now. It's late, but any lessening of harvest will probably match the watering/polinating issue anyway. You're in for a lower yield, save yourself the workload over the summer and move them outside.

My £0.02

[nickdub]

While as you're volunteering, I'll drop you my address by PM and even throw in a coup of tea and a biscuit - just let me know when you plan on arriving :-)

[muck lover]

Maybe it would be safer to take cuttings. Established bushes might not appreciate relocation.

[nickdub]

If got a few layers already off the different plants, so I'm covered for that thanks. I'll report back on how it goes in case anyone is interested - the tayberries have flower buds now which look like they'll be open in a couple of weeks time.

One of the gooseberries is going to have to be moved as its right in the way - I may or may not leave the other depending on my laziness quotient and what sort of crop I get .

[nickdub]

As promised a bit of an update. The flowers on the gooseberries are just starting to open and the tayberry looks to be 2 or 3 days from flowering - I've also got a cherry in there which is nearly out too, which obviously I can hand pollinate.

No pollinating insects around today though, ether inside or out, as its been tipping down all morning.

[nickdub]

Lovely sunny Spring day here and I think I've answered part of my question. Twice during the day when I went out there, there was a bumble-bee working the flowers on the gooseberries, now if I can keep them watered OK I might get a crop :-)

Saw my first butter-fly of the year too - only caught a flash of movement in my peripheral vision, so was unable to identify it.

[muck lover]

I was the naming of putting a new red currant in a large pot as the birds outwit me every year and eat every single berry. I thought I could bring it under cover when the fruit starts to ripen. Of course there’s always a watering issue with pots. I think I need a fruit cage.

[nickdub]

Yep definitely a cage is best - I've got an extremely ratty looking monstrosity which I put together myself - not v brilliant but better than nothing, now in need of a radical overhaul/rebuild.

One tip of you do decide on a cage - best to get some sort of wire netting for the bottom nearest the ground if you are like me and have weeds and grass all over, as getting the plastic stuff out from overgrowth is practically impossible. So you can have wire up to about 3', then cover the rest of the sides and top with plastic netting which is easier to take down and store away when you don't need it in place..

[nickdub]

OK quick update - first of the tayberry flowers open today - there've been plenty if bumbles on the goosegogs, and I've hand pollinated the cherry a couple of times. I'll try to report back much later when I have some idea if I'm getting a crop or not.

[nickdub]

Think I've almost reached the end of this observation session. The goosegogs definitively have fruit which are now swelling and the tayberries are flowering with 1 or 2 bumbles visiting everyday (seem to be more around this year). The cherry has almost finished flowering.

Of course there are other things which may go wrong, but if the crops fail it won't be because of a pollination problem.