Self Pollination

Self pollination usually takes two forms. The first involves male and female portions of a flower growing into contact with one another, thus fertilizing the flower without the need for insects or wind. In these cases, pollination often takes place with the blossom closed.

The second form involves animals and wind (pollinators) moving pollen within a blossom or from one blossom on a plant to another blossom on the same plant. This is also known as being self-fertile.

In other words, the plant doesn't need pollen from other pollen sources (pollenizers).

In the area of vegetable gardening, tomatoes are probably the best example of self-fertile plants. Not only are most tomatoes self-fertile, but some tomatoes don't ever open their blossoms. They rely on movement of the stalks in order to shake loose the pollen and fertilize themselves right inside their own closed blossoms.

If you're growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, be certain to agitate the plants every day or so while blooms are present as this aids in pollination. Pollen grains from the male portion of the flowers can be shaken loose to land on female portions of the flowers, thus causing fruit to "set."

The whole idea of self pollination is that you don't need another plant. Being self-fertile is the opposite of a plant that needs cross pollination. For self-fertile plants, you can promote fertilization by having others of the same plant nearby, but they aren't necessary because self fertile plants will have both male and female blossoms, or male and female parts within the same blossom.

Opening a vent or doorway can also promote pollination by allowing animals to enter the greenhouse. Animals are the single largest contributor to plant pollination. They pollinate about 80% of plant varieties.

You can also promote pollination by using a small water color brush to transfer pollen among and between blossoms indoors. I use this technique until I see regular visits by bees and flies, then I put my paintbrush down and let nature do the rest.

If given half a chance, insects will find the blossoms in your greenhouse. Just in case they don't, you might have to promote pollination a bit until they do.

Done with Self Pollination, take me back to Pollination