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How does pollination in greenhouses with bumblebees work?

Pollination in a greenhouse is crucial for a good and healthy crop: without pollination, most crops will not develop or develop optimally. Most horticultural crops (especially tomato, sweet pepper, egg plant, zucchini, strawberry and melon) depend on insects (eg. bumblebees) tor the transfer of pollen, but greenhouse plants are out of reach of wild pollinators. Therefore pollination has to happen in a different way. In the past this was done with ‘tomato vibrators’, but in present day horticultural businesses more often use bumble bees to accomplish this. Pollination through bumblebees is much less labour intensive and therefore cheaper. Also, the use of bumblebees in the greenhouse is a way of biological crop protection.
Bumblebee pollination
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | June 18, 2021 | 4 min. reading time

What is pollination?

Pollination is the transport of pollen where it is transferred from the stamens to the pistil of the flower. This can take place via insects, such as bumble bees.

Effective pollination

Lower cost is not the only advantage of the use of bumble bees. Bumble bees provide more effective pollination, which leads to higher crop quality and therefore higher revenue. Pollination creates better development of crops and therefore the growth of more, larger and better formed fruit. Pollination further leads to faster ripening fruit, which makes the harvesting period shorter and causes more harvests.

Bumblebee species

Bumblebees belong to the Anthophila and are insects. Various species of bumblebees are used worldwide to pollinate flowers and plants. In Europe, Bombus terrestris, also known as earth bumblebee, is a common choice. The choice of a type of bumblebee depends on various criteria. An important criterion, for example, is that the species must be suitable for pollination of various crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines. 

Bumble bee population

A standard population of bumble bees contains a bumble bee nest with an active queen and a growing folk. The queen directs the population with the aid of workers that fly out to collect pollenfor the larvae and workers that stay inside the nest to build and feed and care for the larvae. A standard bumble bee population consists of a easily handled cardboard box with a good ventilation system. The box has a compartment with a bumble bee nest and a container of sugar water, where the bees syphon water through a wick.
Watch the video to see how to feed bumblebees.  

Pollination with bumblebees in vegetable and fruit cultivation

Bumblebees can be used with the different crops in greenhouses as well as vegetable and fruit cultivation. Bumblebees can be used with the following crops in greenhouses.Click on the crops below for more information regarding bumble bees in vegetable or fruit crops.
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Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

How does pollination in greenhouses with bumblebees work?

Pollination in a greenhouse is crucial for a good and healthy crop: without pollination, most crops will not develop or develop optimally. Most horticultural crops (especially tomato, sweet pepper, egg plant, zucchini, strawberry and melon) depend on insects (eg. bumblebees) tor the transfer of pollen, but greenhouse plants are out of reach of wild pollinators. Therefore pollination has to happen in a different way. In the past this was done with ‘tomato vibrators’, but in present day horticultural businesses more often use bumble bees to accomplish this. Pollination through bumblebees is much less labour intensive and therefore cheaper. Also, the use of bumblebees in the greenhouse is a way of biological crop protection.
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Kevin van Kester
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | June 18, 2021 | 4 min. reading time
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Bumblebee pollination
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What is pollination?

Pollination is the transport of pollen where it is transferred from the stamens to the pistil of the flower. This can take place via insects, such as bumble bees.

Effective pollination

Lower cost is not the only advantage of the use of bumble bees. Bumble bees provide more effective pollination, which leads to higher crop quality and therefore higher revenue. Pollination creates better development of crops and therefore the growth of more, larger and better formed fruit. Pollination further leads to faster ripening fruit, which makes the harvesting period shorter and causes more harvests.

Bumblebee species

Bumblebees belong to the Anthophila and are insects. Various species of bumblebees are used worldwide to pollinate flowers and plants. In Europe, Bombus terrestris, also known as earth bumblebee, is a common choice. The choice of a type of bumblebee depends on various criteria. An important criterion, for example, is that the species must be suitable for pollination of various crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines.

Bumblebee population

A standard population of bumble bees contains a bumble bee nest with an active queen and a growing folk. The queen directs the population with the aid of workers that fly out to collect pollenfor the larvae and workers that stay inside the nest to build and feed and care for the larvae. A standard bumble bee population consists of a easily handled cardboard box with a good ventilation system. The box has a compartment with a bumble bee nest and a container of sugar water, where the bees syphon water through a wick.
Watch the video to see how to feed bumblebees.  

Pollination with bumblebees in vegetable and fruit cultivation

Bumblebees can be used with the different crops in greenhouses as well as vegetable and fruit cultivation. Bumblebees can be used with the following crops in greenhouses.Click on the crops below for more information regarding bumble bees in vegetable or fruit crops.
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Kevin van Kester
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Whitepaper - Effective pollination with bumblebees
Pollination is crucial for a good and healthy crop. In this whitepaper, you will find all the tips and information you need to ensure that the bumblebees do their work as effectively as possible.
How to place bumblebee hives?
Bumblebees are offered in special hives, where they build a nest. These are the bases from which the bumblebees spread through the crops. It's important to position them in the right areas for optimum pollination.
What is the difference between bumblebees and bees?
Let’s first explain: bumblebees and bees belong to the same family, the Aphidae. As a consequence, they are very much alike. Still there are some significant differences.