Blackcurrant
Pollination Solutions
Ribes Nigrum
Effective blackcurrant pollination is essential for achieving reliable fruit set and consistent yields. While blackcurrant plants are capable of self-pollination, insect activity during flowering plays a key role in improving pollination efficiency and fruit development.
Zonda bumblebee hives support New Zealand blackcurrant growers with reliable, orchard-scale pollination throughout the flowering period.
Blackcurrant Flower Biology
- The blackcurrant flower is bell-shaped and hermaphroditic, producing both pollen and nectar. The pistil protrudes beyond the stamens and corolla, allowing both self- and cross-pollination. Cross-pollination between varieties often results in improved fruit set and higher yields.
- Cool temperatures and reduced insect activity during flowering can limit natural pollination. Flowers are borne in clusters, and effective pollination of each flower is required to maximise yield.
- Bumblebees pollinate blackcurrants by hanging upside down on the flower, gripping the corolla rim and vibrating using their flight muscles — a behaviour known as buzz pollination.
- Light discolouration on the flower rim, visible after several hours, indicates a successful bumblebee visit.
Managed Bumblebee Pollination for Blackcurrant Orchards
Bumblebee pollination supports reliable cross-pollination between compatible blackcurrant varieties during the blossom period.
Bumblebees are well suited to commercial orchard pollination because they:
- Remain active in cooler early spring conditions
- Exhibit strong foraging behaviour across orchard rows
- Move effectively between polliniser varieties
- Provide consistent pollination activity during peak bloom
Reliable pollination improves fruit set, supports fruit uniformity and contributes to consistent crop development.
When to introduce Bumblebee Hives for Blackcurrant Pollination
For pollination of blackcurrant crops, a minimum of 12 LARGE colonies per hectare are necessary if no other pollinators are present.
On delivery, a LARGE colony contains 80–110 worker bees and a queen, with a typical lifespan of four to six weeks depending on crop conditions.
Hives should be introduced at early bloom to ensure colonies establish foraging patterns before peak flowering. Even distribution throughout orchard blocks encourages effective cross-pollination between compatible varieties.
Colony density may be adjusted depending on orchard layout, tree age, bloom intensity and the presence of additional pollinating insects.
Bumblebee Hives for Blackcurrant Orchards
Explore Zonda Beneficials bumblebee hives for outdoor crop pollination to support blackcurrant production.
Small Hive
up to 750 m²
Contains approximately 50 worker bees.
Large Hive
1100 m² to 1500 m²
Contains approximately 80–100 worker bees.
Bumblebee Hive Placement and Use
- Introduce colonies when the first flowers are open.
- Place hives on a sturdy support approximately 50 cm above the ground — sunny in spring, shaded later in the season.
- Secure hives to prevent ant access.
- After placement, allow bees to settle for 30–60 minutes before opening the flight hole. They will begin pollinating shortly after their initial orientation flights.
- Bumblebees are most active between 15–25°C, and will work in temperatures from 10–30°C.
Bumblebee Safety and Crop Protection
- Bumblebees are compatible with natural enemies and biological control programmes.
- Agricultural chemicals can affect bumblebees directly (killing workers or larvae through contact or ingestion) or indirectly (treated flowers may deter foraging visits).
- Systemic pesticides can have long-lasting effects. In crops that produce both nectar and pollen (e.g. sweet pepper), the impact on the colony can be significantly greater than in pollen-only crops (e.g. tomato).
- Detailed information on pesticide compatibility is available in Zonda’s Side Effects Guide.
- Before any crop treatment, activate the BEEHOME option to allow bees to enter but not leave the hive. After approximately one hour, the hive can be fully closed and either covered or removed from the crop.
- If temporarily removed, store the hive at 18–20°C.