Bag to prevent cross-pollination

[Armadillo]

Hello everyone.
I've grown one plant of each variety I have indoors to learn about them and, if possible, to collect seeds at the same time.

They were intentionally grown in small pots to limit their growth, somewhat in the bonsai style, but without root pruning.
Since I want to keep the varieties pure and separate from each other, I'm looking for the type of bag used to prevent cross-pollination.
I've seen several types of bags in different materials, but I'm not sure which would be the most suitable.
Do you have a supplier or brand you could recommend?
Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Sergey Ukraine]

I think in your case, the chance of over-pollination is extremely low, almost zero... unless, of course, there are bees flying around or strong winds... As for the material, we use agrosban, a white fabric for frost protection, which allows air to pass through well...

 

[Knucklehead]

Hello everyone.
I've grown one plant of each variety I have indoors to learn about them and, if possible, to collect seeds at the same time.

They were intentionally grown in small pots to limit their growth, somewhat in the bonsai style, but without root pruning.
Since I want to keep the varieties pure and separate from each other, I'm looking for the type of bag used to prevent cross-pollination.
I've seen several types of bags in different materials, but I'm not sure which would be the most suitable.
Do you have a supplier or brand you could recommend?
Thank you in advance for your help.

I use 5 gal. paint strainer bags from most hardware stores. With some varieties the seed head will fill the 5 gal. strainer bag.

 

[Sergey Ukraine]

I use 5 gal. paint strainer bags from most hardware stores. With some varieties the seed head will fill the 5 gal. strainer bag.

I don't collect that many seeds, I only leave 6-7 pods on the central stem and remove the rest.

 

[Armadillo]

I don't collect that many seeds, I only leave 6-7 pods on the central stem and remove the rest.

I don't need many personally, but it will allow me to send some to members of my FB group

 

[Armadillo]

I think in your case, the chance of over-pollination is extremely low, almost zero... unless, of course, there are bees flying around or strong winds... As for the material, we use agrosban, a white fabric for frost protection, which allows air to pass through well...

I think I have some lying around somewhere, I just need to find it.

Thanks

 

[Sergey Ukraine]

I think I have some lying around somewhere, I just need to find it.

Thanks

I was visiting my mother-in-law, and she also had some lying around... I've been using it for two years now, making new ones every year, and it never runs out.

 

[Armadillo]

I think in your case, the chance of over-pollination is extremely low, almost zero... unless, of course, there are bees flying around or strong winds... As for the material, we use agrosban, a white fabric for frost protection, which allows air to pass through well...

There are no pollinating insects, but there is a fan.
I prefer to be cautious and do this as thoroughly as possible.

 

[TigerTom]

I use 5 gal. paint strainer bags from most hardware stores. With some varieties the seed head will fill the 5 gal. strainer bag.

View attachment 58150

How well so those prevent cross-pollination? Have you had any unexpected crosses show up in your seed?

 

[Knucklehead]

How well so those prevent cross-pollination? Have you had any unexpected crosses show up in your seed?

Tobacco does not wind pollinate, it is self pollinating or pollinated by insects. The netting keeps the bees away that would travel from flower to flower, plant to plant. By keeping away the bees, the plants self pollinate only, keeping the variety pure. Bees can carry the pollen 1/4 mile or farther and you can never know 100% that a neighbor or someone you don't know hasn't suddenly decided to grow a few tobacco plants that can cross pollinate with yours, and they usually don't advertise that they are growing unbagged plants. Bagging is the only safe way and we encourage members not to spread or trade unbagged seed among the membership so we all know we are getting pure seed.

 

[TigerTom]

Tobacco does not wind pollinate, it is self pollinating or pollinated by insects. The netting keeps the bees away that would travel from flower to flower, plant to plant. By keeping away the bees, the plants self pollinate only, keeping the variety pure. Bees can carry the pollen 1/4 mile or farther and you can never know 100% that a neighbor or someone you don't know hasn't suddenly decided to grow a few tobacco plants that can cross pollinate with yours, and they usually don't advertise that they are growing unbagged plants. Bagging is the only safe way and we encourage members not to spread or trade unbagged seed among the membership so we all know we are getting pure seed.

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if perhaps there are any smaller insects that, while not pollinators in their own right, might make it through the netting and carry pollen around that way.

 

[Knucklehead]

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if perhaps there are any smaller insects that, while not pollinators in their own right, might make it through the netting and carry pollen around that way.

This is a photo of bagged plants from the northwoodseeds.com website. The mesh is similar.

 

[Armadillo]

Okay, it's done! The hardest part is taming the sewing machine

The great thing about the "winter fleece" option is that you can make them to measure. Just add a garden tie at the base and you're all set.

 

[Armadillo]

The matter is settled as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks to Knuklehead for all this valuable information, and to Sergey Ukraine for the great idea.