Introduction

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in greenhouses because they are relatively easy to care for and can produce a bountiful harvest. However, for the tomatoes to properly develop and grow, pollination is necessary. In this article, we'll explore how tomato plants pollinate in a greenhouse setting.

Natural Pollination

In a natural setting, tomato plants are usually pollinated by bees or other flying insects. However, in a greenhouse, these pollinators may not be present in adequate numbers, so tomato plants need manual assistance with pollination.

Manual Pollination

The most common method of manual pollination for greenhouse tomatoes is called "buzz pollination." This technique involves using an electric toothbrush to vibrate the flowers so that the pollen releases and becomes more easily spread. To manually pollinate tomato plants, start by gently shaking the flowers by hand or using a small brush to transfer the pollen from the stamen to the pistil.

Importance of Timing

Timing is critical when it comes to pollination. Tomato plants need to be pollinated during their peak bloom period, which is usually when the plants are 50-70% in bloom. At this point, there should be enough open flowers to pollinate, but not so many that the process becomes overwhelming. Once the tomatoes have been pollinated, it's important to give the plants time to produce fruit.

Other Factors

There are a few other key factors that can impact the pollination process for tomato plants in a greenhouse. Proper humidity levels are essential, as drier air can impact the number and quality of flowers that are produced. Temperature also plays a role, and the ideal temperature for greenhouse tomato pollination is around 65-75°F. Finally, providing adequate lighting can also help encourage more flower production and improve overall fruit quality.

Conclusion

Proper pollination is essential for greenhouse tomato plants to produce a successful crop. While natural pollination by bees and other insects is ideal, manual pollination techniques are necessary in a greenhouse setting. Timing, temperature, humidity levels, and lighting are all factors to consider when trying to pollinate tomato plants successfully.