The flower, pollination and fertilization
The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) flower is self-fertile possessing both stamens and pistils. The flower has six yellow petals and six stamens that unite in the area of the anthers to form a cone around the pistil. The style may be shorter or longer than the cone of stamens depends on the variety, weather conditions, day length, light intensity and nutrition of the plant.

The tomato flower is capable of self-pollinating; i.e it depends on its own pollen. Cross-pollination is also possible, however the germination does not differ between cross- and self-pollination. When the flower is vibrated, pollen falls into the cone of stamens and lands on the stigma at the top of the style. When the style is shorter than the surrounding cone, normal contact can occur between the pollen and stigma. However when the style protrudes out of the cone it is difficult for the pollen to meet the stigma.
 
The tomato flower is completely nectarless.

The bumblebee is capable of vibrating the tomato flower using the unique ‘buzz pollination’ mechanism. The indoor tomato flower, which is exposed to little air movement and relatively high humidity when compared to open areas, needs shaking to be pollinated. This is optimally achieved by use of the bumblebee. The vibrating action of the bumblebee is by far superior to any manual or artificial alternatives such as the “electric-bee”, pulsed air or hormones.

The hive
When it leaves the factory, the standard colony for tomato consists of the founder queen, a few dozen workers, pupae, larvae and eggs. The hive does not contain males. This is a strong colony with an anticipated life expectancy of 5-10 weeks.
The hive is provided with a sugar-water solution, a substitute to the nectar lacking in the tomato flower. The ‘Nes-Bee’ system, placed at the bottom of the hive, continuously provides the sugar-water that is vital for the proper functioning of the colony during the whole period of its presence in the greenhouse. This system is maintenance free.

Introduction scheme
In a standard tomato structure, 4-5 standard hives provide adequate pollination for a period of 5-10 weeks. The number of hives introduced for each unit of area varies with the variety/type of tomato, and the intensity of its blossom. The first hives create the ‘base population’. Subsequently, new hives are introduced in addition to or in replacement of old hives, as required, as part of the pollination services provided by Bio-Bee. 
Bumblebees are introduced to the crop, usually from the first truss of flowers until the last truss that is relevant to the harvest.

Placing the hive
The hives must be fastened to the stand.
In any case, a shade should be attached above the hives to protect against both sun and condensation drops.
After placing the hive, let the colony inside “settle down”. After a few minutes, carefully open the flight-hole by lifting the shutter that blocks it. 

Placing the hive     protecting the hive    open the flight-hole 
                                                               
            
              


Field advisory service                                    
Follow-up of the activity of the bees as well as the state of the hives is accomplished in three ways:



1) Checking open flowers, or those that have completed their blossom, for signs of bee visitation (see above).
2) Direct observation on bumblebees visiting flowers.
3) Observation of entries and exits of worker bees to and from the hive. In a normal hive, a minimum of 5 entries and exits can be observed within 10 minute. The color of the pollen loads on entering bees is light yellow. The last two checks should take place during the bees’ peak hours of activity.