Bagging tomato flowers

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lee53011
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Bagging tomato flowers

#1

Post: # 36002Unread post lee53011
Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:27 pm

What are your tips for making sure your open pollinated tomatoes are not cross pollinated? I have some fairly large organza bags that I was planning on using, since I use them on melon flowers. I am not able to plant them far apart.

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MrBig46
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#2

Post: # 36005Unread post MrBig46
Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:12 pm

I use small bags that I sewed from the curtain.
Vladimír

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Whwoz
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#3

Post: # 36010Unread post Whwoz
Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:46 am

The organza bags work fine. Just give the flower clusters a good Shake to aid pollination and do not forget to mark the fruit clusters with ribbon when you remove bags so you know which ones have been isolated. You don't want to eat them by mistake

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Glitch
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#4

Post: # 48649Unread post Glitch
Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:00 pm

How strict should one be when bagging blossoms? If any of the buds are starting to open up should I pluck them off? I am bagging for the first time and want to know if it's okay to bag the blossoms if they're partially open. I could be overthinking, but if I'm going to go to the effort, I might as well do it correctly. :)
Miniature enthusiast. USDA Zone 6A.

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Whwoz
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#5

Post: # 48663Unread post Whwoz
Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:26 pm

What I have been told about bagging flowers is to pinch off any that are opening. Where possible bag the first truss as the tomatoes have more time to ripen and shake the truss stem to help pollination. Don't forget to tag fruit once formed so you don't eat by mistake

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MrBig46
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#6

Post: # 48665Unread post MrBig46
Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:02 pm

When I put the inflorescence in a bag, I remove the open flower for safety.
Vladimír

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GoDawgs
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#7

Post: # 48671Unread post GoDawgs
Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:23 am

Just a thought that floated in while I was reading this and a question.... If using organza bags, do you wash them after each use? Wondering about stray pollen remaining in the bag.

Can someone please post a photo of the bags they use along with dimensions?

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Whwoz
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#8

Post: # 48673Unread post Whwoz
Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:50 am

This type of thing would be suitable [mention]GoDawgs[/mention]. Size varies, with the bigger bags having the advantage the you maybe able to leave them on the fruit as insect protection and for reducing the likelihood of accidentally picking the fruit for consumption. These are 8 x 12 inches.

https://canary.contestimg.wish.com/api/ ... 85989b74c4

Plenty of other options to be found on the web.

it is definitely best to wash in warm soapy water with a bit of bleach thrown in to aid in releasing any trapped pollen then thoroughly rinse and dry.

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Toomanymatoes
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#9

Post: # 48810Unread post Toomanymatoes
Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:40 pm

GoDawgs wrote: Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:23 am Just a thought that floated in while I was reading this and a question.... If using organza bags, do you wash them after each use? Wondering about stray pollen remaining in the bag.

Can someone please post a photo of the bags they use along with dimensions?
First time doing this myself. Funny enough, I had the same thoughts about re-using them. I likely won't and I am not even sure washing would be a good idea. Pollen is very hardy.

I bought 2 sizes - 7.9" X 11.8" and 5" X 7" Organza bags. I used both. I found the smaller ones were good for my tomatoes and the larger ones for my peppers. At least, so far. It was easier to isolate the tomato truss, but with peppers I had to cover a branch in many cases.

Similar to these:
https://www.amazon.com/Organza-Drawstri ... hen&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/KUPOO-50PCS-Orga ... 207&sr=8-5

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Amateurinawe
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#10

Post: # 48827Unread post Amateurinawe
Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:46 pm

I managed to get myself quite a few bags the other day, took a while for me to empty out all the sugared almonds quickly without anyone seeing but I think I got away with it....
The behaviour of light means you observe me as i was then, and not as I am now.
I cannot change history, so I do hope i gave you a good impression of myself

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Amateurinawe
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#11

Post: # 48829Unread post Amateurinawe
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:05 pm

Before anyone reports me, I bought the 10cm x 15cm organza bags 100 pcs off Amazon :-). Hope they work....
The behaviour of light means you observe me as i was then, and not as I am now.
I cannot change history, so I do hope i gave you a good impression of myself

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wykvlvr
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Re: Bagging tomato flowers

#12

Post: # 56245Unread post wykvlvr
Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:12 pm

Grin one of those sets of bags just hopped into my shopping cart. I am giving Big Hill a try next year and may bag a couple to insure I get some uncrossed tomatoes PLUS I will be trying to make a few crosses and need to insure they are only pollinated by the right tomatoes...
Wyoming
Zone 5
Elevation : 6,063 ft
Climate : semi-arid
Avg annual rainfall = 16 inches

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