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Hi -

How far do you think a bee (or other insect) can travel in an attempt to mess up a controlled pollination? Also, what do you think of a controlled open pollination? For instance, if you ensured that your pumpkin was either selfed, or pollinated by only one other plant. I'm working on some interesting crosses, email me if you’re interested in seeds in late October. Thanks -

David

6/23/2008 3:19:52 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

So the offspring would be 2/3 self and 1/3 cross. The only problem is you couldn't be 100% sure if your effort and or the bee's effort did the job. Interesting though.

6/23/2008 3:32:16 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Interesting question,8 miles according to this article.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/jul/26/conservationandendangeredspecies.uknews

Thats a long way!

6/23/2008 5:14:53 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

If done correctly a bee cannot mess up a controlled pollination. If both the female and males used to pollinate are covered the night before they open and then the female is re-covered for at least 24hrs after you pollinate it won't matter about the bees. The pollen has already taken effect by then.
As far as "controlled open pollination" I'm not sure exactly what you are talking about. The general belief is that regardless of how many different males you pollinate with only one will actually pollinate the female. So the others are a waste. In my opinion using multiple pollinators just leaves you with fruit that you honestly have no idea what the true cross is..Sort of like if a woman has "relations" with 2 different men in a small time frame, short of DNA tests there is no sure way to know who the daddy is and I doubt anyone would go so far as DNA testing on a pumpkin...but enough about all that! lol

6/23/2008 5:20:12 PM

western PA

for the most part, honey bees will travl in a 1 mile radius from their hive.

6/24/2008 8:16:57 AM