It Finally Happened....

If finally happened. My first "Flight of the Bee Dance". Truth be known, it actually wasn't a flight. It was more of an introduction of the season, a standoff of sorts.
I suppose this big ominous-looking bumble bee appeared as such in my eyes only as he stole my space, my garden area. He stood his ground, zig-zagging back and forth among his new domain as I pulled weeds. I politely introduced myself.
"Hellooooo Big Ominous Bee. Let's understand one another, I just want to weed out the garden."
Mr. Big Ominous Bee seemingly replied, "I'm busy catching the first of the pollen for this season."
Before we could continue, another bee of different breed entered the now-shared domain. Mr. Big Ominous Bumble Bee quickly departed as he chased the other perpetrator away, thus leaving me time to finish my weeding; saved until another day. Whew!
Last week I had mentioned in my blog about my interactions with bees and their importance in a garden... pollination. MyCoupons member Susan B wrote asking about pollination in a greenhouse. Apparently her husband just finished constructing a small one in their backyard. The pollination process hadn't occurred to her until reading last week's blog.
Though bees are a natural way of pollination, there are many other insects and methods of nature, such as wind that can make pollination possible.
Sometimes in a greenhouse, pollination doesn't happen on it's own unless you help the process along. If there is no pollination by one means or another, in most cases it simply will mean no fruit. However, there are many ways of creating pollination in a greenhouse setting. Sometimes pollination requires just a tap to the blossoms. Sometimes it is more complicated. I've heard of people using electric toothbrushes, banging the support wires to move the pollen. Another method is using small brushes, like a paint brush, moving from bloom to bloom. Some gardeners use leaf blowers to create a "wind" effect. Additionally, you CAN bring bees into the greenhouse. Believe it or not, you can now purchase bumblebees in a cardboard box. Just set the box in the greenhouse and let the bees do their magic. The latter would not be an option for me. Bees in a confined area and not much space to run. OH My, just the thought makes me shutter!
Keep on gardening!
Annie~