Bumblebees for Pollination?

[Pauline01UK]

Does anyone plant flowers to attract Bumblebees and other insects to help with pollination for your veggies? (If you do which ones have you planted)? I don't have a garden as such, just a small patch of soil to the left of my back yard.

I did grow tomato's, peppers, cucumbers, onions and a few other things in containers and also in my greenhouse last year (6ft/4ft plastic one), up to now I have planted lots of spring bulbs to attract them, and will be planting more flowers and herbs later on for the summer, I just don't know which flowers to do just yet

I haven't planted any veggies just yet because its a bit early and we have had quite a bit of snow and freezing temperatures. (I will be starting a few things off in the house this weekend)

Last year I bought myself a proper greenhouse (8ft/6ft) but haven't been able to put it up yet, I'm hoping to get that done when weather permits lol also I want to build a raised bed/cold frame too

I am a novice at growing and didn't know much last year about planting to attract bumblebees and insects to help with pollination, and nor did I know anything about companion plants, you learn a lot from the internet and other gardeners so I am hoping to do a lot better this year

Looking forward to your replies

[alldigging]

Weeds are often overlooked as pollinating insect attractors. They have disadvantages though ...

Get some flowers in tubs maybe?

I was reading about someone who hit tomato plants to make the pollen float about to get a better crop.

[Pauline01UK]

Weeds are often overlooked as pollinating insect attractors. They have disadvantages though ...

I thankfully only get a few weeds with growing in containers

Get some flowers in tubs maybe?

Yes I will be using tubs for flowers I just need a few suggestions and recommendations of which ones to plant for summer that has been successful for other people.

I was reading about someone who hit tomato plants to make the pollen float about to get a better crop.

You don't need to hit the tomato plants lol the best thing to do is just shake them a little because it does help with pollination, the flowers on it that are not pollinated will drop off at the knuckle and not produce any fruit

Thanks alldigging

[Two_Sheds]

Does anyone plant flowers to attract Bumblebees

I have 100s of bumbles on my plot in the summer: they particularly love lavender, chives and comfrey flowers.

[Pauline01UK]

I hope you don't mind, I sent you a FR on Facebook, I looked through your photo's on there and saw the the great picture of your Lavender I also saw your lovely paintings too, you are so talented.

I haven't grown any herbs before but this year I definitely will be doing

[Alison]

As said, herbs and flowers are generally good - you can also buy mixes of flower seeds which are suited to attracting bees. However don't stress too much, the things you grew last year don't need bees anyway

[Two_Sheds]

I hope you don't mind, I sent you a FR on Facebook

No problem at all, the more the merrier

[ancee]

They like the blue end of the spectrum bees, - so I've read anyway! How on earth did they ask them? So any bright blue lilac and purple flowers I suppose

[Kirk]

Bee's are sensative in the ultra violet spectrum, when seen under UV light a flower often has prominent markings that become more visible and indicate to the bee where to aim for to get pollen and nectar.

Not sure if it therefore a blue colour is best, as this is close to UV and so a lesser contrast, you could find that a red/yellow/orang flower gives a greater contrast to the neighbouring UV part so is more noticable by a bee.

[alldigging]

How you can help bumblebees

Some suggestions there.

[ancee]

Thanks alldigging So, bees like herbs and herb flowers! That's good, I'll make sure I have plenty for them I love the little critters

[Two_Sheds]

They like the blue end of the spectrum

I didn't realise that, but yes, it makes perfect sense to me: they always go on the comfrey & lavender out of preference (and I have LOTS of flowers on my plot).
Bees Love The Color Purple

[BertieFox]

Several plants you mention, such as tomatoes and peppers, are inbreeders and do not require insect pollination. In fact, often the pollination has already occurred when the flower opens as the anthers inside the bud touch the stigma of the flower. Bees may visit the flowers but by then, pollination has already occurred. Tapping the flowers, or rather the plants, helps dislodge the pollen from the anthers onto the stigma inside the opening bud. The same is true of peppers and many plants in the pea and bean family (though not runners I believe). In fact, if you want to breed your own varieties of these vegetables you need to open the bud before it has opened naturally and emasculate the flower by removing the anthers and pollen so you can apply different pollen from another variety.

[Two_Sheds]

Several plants you mention, such as tomatoes and peppers, are inbreeders and do not require insect pollination. ... Tapping the flowers, or rather the plants, helps dislodge the pollen from the anthers onto the stigma

Bumbles help that process though, because the pollination they do is "buzz pollination", which is the bee's way of "tapping"

[Marcher]

I've given up on bees until neonicotinoid pesticides are banned for domestic and commercial use. I'll be the bee this year and hand pollinate my fruit trees.