The Nerds and the Bees

 

July, 2023

Pickaway to Garden

 

The Nerds and the Bees

 

By Paul Hang

 

If you grew up before this century you probably heard the talk about the birds and the bees as a way to explain where babies come from. I don’t think either are very adequate examples of how humans reproduce.  For plant nerds like me bees are barely adequate examples for explaining plant sex and the only birds that I know of involved in pollination are hummingbirds. Pollination is really another word for plant sex, how plants reproduce. I think if I stick to plants’ sex maybe this column will not be banned by fearful politicians.

 

Bees and other pollinators like spiders, beetles, wasps, butterflies, moths and flies (most important after bees) move pollen from the male parts to the female parts of the flowers of plants. Plants can have either or both male and female parts. The male parts of the flower are called the stamen which includes the pollen producing anthers. The female parts are called the pistil which includes the stigma which receives the pollen and a tube called the style which connects the stigma to the ovary. The ovary contains one or more ovules which contain one egg each.

 

80% of the plants on earth produce flowers, seeds and fruits and that include the vast majority of our garden plants and the foods we eat, vegetables, fruits and grains. Without pollination we wouldn’t survive. Pollination, plant sex, is best described by Robert Pavlis in his book “Plant Science for Gardeners.”

 

“Pollen grains from anthers land on the stigma. If the stigma is mature it’s sticky, and the pollen grains will stay on the stigma. A pollen grain contains one tube cell and one sperm producing cell. The tube cell will produce a tube that grows down into the style and eventually reaches an ovule in the ovary. The sperm cell then travels down the tube and reaches an egg in the ovule. The sperm fertilizes one egg, which develops into a seed. After fertilization, the ovary develops into a fruit which protects the developing seeds.”

 

The bird (humming) and other pollinators (bees and “bugs”) act as carriers transporting pollen from one plant’s flower to another. Some plants, like tomatoes, have perfect flowers, which mean they have male parts (Stamens) and female parts (Pistils) in the same flower. They are self-fertilizing and don’t need bees or other insects to help fertilize them. Other plants have male and female flowers. Only plants with mature flowers and pollen will work. The stigma must be ready to accept the pollen and may only be receptive for a few days or hours. The pollen and the stigma must be compatible. If the plant determines the pollen is from a different species, a close relative or an unfit partner, the stigma will release a toxin which prevents the pollen tube from growing.

The birds and the bees story might be better replaced by the flowers and the flies. Have gardening questions? Call the Gardening Helpline 740-474-7534. To read about problems facing those of us who “grow things,” check out bygl.osu.edu.

 

Things to do in the garden:

Are you waiting on cucumbers and squash to start bearing fruit? Remember, they get male flowers first then later the female flowers come on. Then, after pollination, the fruit can form. This is the time to dry herbs. Harvest just before they flower. Pick on a sunny dry day and in the morning. Tie them in small bundles with rubber bands. Hang them upside down in a hot, dry, dark, well ventilated spot in an attic, barn or shed. It is time to harvest garlic. Hang them or lay them out to dry and cure. Harvest when leaves are turning yellow but there are still one or two green leaves.

 

Weeding, deadheading and watering are high on the list of routine activities. If July turns out to be bone dry water the equivalent of one inch per week. Don’t let your plants wilt. This will cause blossom end rot in tomatoes and other solanaceous plants like peppers and eggplant.  Mulch to conserve moisture and keep down weeds. If you haven’t mulched yet do so after a soaking thunderstorm or a good watering. Vegetables higher in water content need more water e.g. tomatoes, watermelons, onions, vs. green beans.

 

Keep your mower blades sharp; cut your grass long, 3-4 inches is ideal. If you use a pesticide for grubs you are also killing the ones that produce fireflies. Consider organic methods if you have a grub problem.  Kill Japanese beetle scouts before they let their comrades know about your garden. Brush them off into a cup of soapy water or alcohol (not Jim Beam). Repeatedly letting the lawn go dormant and reviving it by watering can kill the grass. Either keep watering or wait for Mother Nature to do it for you. Don’t forget to water your compost heap. It needs to remain moist for fast decomposition.

 

Going on vacation? Water well before you leave. Place container plants in a shady area. They should do fine for a week depending on the weather. If you will be gone longer have someone reliable come over and water regularly. Container plants in the hot sun may need watering daily.

 

If grafted trees or roses are suckering below the graft, cut the sprouts off. Keep picking seed pods off the annuals and clipping spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage bloom all summer. Pinch back mums July 15^th for the last time. Thin out fruit on heavily laden fruit trees. Prune climbing roses after bloom. Divide bearded Irises and do not plant too deep. Plant gladiolus up to mid-month. Add soil to potatoes as they grow.

 

Always read the labels on your plants for fertilization. Most woody plants have completed their growth and their buds for next year so fertilizing trees and shrubs after early July is a waste of money and may harm the plant. Keep watering trees and shrubs planted in the past 2-3 years. Ten gallons for every inch in diameter every week is good.

 

Consider planting a fall garden this month. Plants such as cabbage, broccoli, spinach, collards, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts (plant seeds now, seedlings later), kale, Swiss chard even beets and parsnips thrive in our fall weather. Consider starting your plants indoors (except for root crops). Acclimate seedlings to the sun before putting them out in the garden. You can still plant beans, cukes, summer squash, greens and corn.