How to Pollinate Tomato Plants

Tomato plants rely on pollination in order to produce fruit. Without pollination, the plant will still produce flowers, but they will not develop into tomatoes. While many types of tomatoes will self-pollinate or rely on natural pollinators such as bees, there are steps you can take to ensure your plants are properly pollinated and produce a bountiful harvest.

Identify the Flowers

Before you can pollinate tomato flowers, you need to be able to identify them. Tomato plants produce two types of flowers: male and female. The male flowers appear first and are small and yellow in color. The female flowers, which are larger and have a small protrusion at the base resembling a miniature tomato, will appear a few weeks later. Once both types of flowers have appeared, pollination can begin.

Shake the Plant

One of the simplest ways to pollinate tomato plants is to gently shake the plant. This motion will cause the pollen to shake loose and fall onto the female flowers, allowing fertilization to occur. You can also use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to carefully transfer the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers.

Use a Fan

If you have a larger tomato plant or want to increase the chances of successful pollination, consider using a fan. Set up a fan near your tomato plant and aim it at the flowers. The gentle breeze will cause the pollen to disperse and increase the chances of pollination. It is important to note that the fan should not be set on high, as too much wind can damage the delicate flowers.

Hand Pollination

If the above methods are not effective or if you want to ensure complete pollination, you can hand pollinate your tomato plants. To do this, use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to carefully transfer the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers. Be sure to use a separate tool for each flower to avoid inadvertently spreading any diseases from one plant to another. Hand pollination is especially important for greenhouse-grown tomato plants, where natural pollinators may not have access.

Conclusion

Pollinating tomato plants is essential for a successful harvest. By identifying the different types of flowers, shaking the plant, using a fan, or hand pollinating, you can increase your chances of successful pollination and ensure your plants will produce plenty of juicy, delicious tomatoes.