Kinda slow around here these daze huh Robert. Well I do help my tomatoes along while doing my daily inspection. Since tomatoes are self pollinating I'll take my forefinger and gently tap each blossom cluster in the same manner as one would tap ashes from a cigarette. Or if time is short I'll take a stick and strike the pole, or rattle the cage.

I use an artists paint brush . but only when I am crossbreeding . Tomatoes are self pollinators as are beans.

I have use a q-tip and that works wonderful.

Every year I think I'm going to invest in bumblebees to assist in the pollination of early greenhouse tomatoes but instead I have just purchased a cheaper alternative- a can of Blossom Set spray. I don't know whether it's the handling or the spray that accomplishes the act but the plants set fruit and that is the important issue with me. A can will usually allow me to spray about a 1500 clusters so cost is not an issue. To spray 2-3 clusters on each of 270 plants takes about 20 minutes.I also run circulation fans regularly that move the air around the plants. I also handle plants weekly in a suckering and clipping routine. I'm not about to experiment to determine what will happen if one variable is omitted although I'm pleased the way fruits are forming so far with these routines.

As the outside temperatures warm and I roll up sides for ventilation more insects are venturing into the structure to seek out the flowers. Wild bumblebees seem to be the most notable at covering the plants although I keep wandering about the little critter we always called sweat bees. Because these tiny bees are so abundant I think they are highly underrated as pollinators. Honeybees are highly overrated.

I use an electric tooth brush and I find they increase production.