Pollinating tomatoes by hand can ensure that more fruit develops.
Sun-ripened tomatoes are the result of thousands of pollen grains moving at just the right time to pollinate flowers.
In this case, a little human intervention may be needed.
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This guide will show you how to pollinate tomatoes by hand to increase your harvest.
ThamKC / Getty Images
Are Tomatoes Self Pollinating?
Insects, usually bees, or a strong breeze will transfer the lightweight pollen grains from anther to stigma.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Other hurdles to pollination include very wet or humid conditions during flowering.
Pollen clumps when wet and doesnt move well, preventing pollination.
Tomato flowers often remain open for a few days, providing an ample window for pollination.
you’re able to pollinate tomato flowers anytime from late morning through early evening.
Avoid early morning when the flowers are wet with dew.
The dew causes the pollen to clump together, making it difficult to transfer.
Select dry tomato flowers.
Hand pollinate tomato flowers when they are thoroughly dry.
Avoid morning when flowers are damp with dew and late evening when dew descends on the garden.
Wait at least two hours after a rain event before hand pollinating.
No special tools are needed to pollinate tomatoesjust tap on the base of the flower with your finger.
The movement will dislodge the pollen and gravity will help at least some pollen grains fall on the stigma.
Some people find a thin pencil helpful for tapping the base of flowers in tightly packed flower clusters.
Electric toothbrushes are the tool of choice for others.
Touch the tip of the vibrating toothbrush to the base of the flower for a few seconds.
Repeat daily for 3 days.
Hand pollination is most successful when the flowers are hand pollinated for 3 consecutive days.
Tomatoes are most commonlyand most effectivelypollinated by the wind or insects.
Roll out the welcome mat byproviding food, water, and shelter.
When day temperatures are above 90F and night temperatures are above 75F, tomato pollen isn’t viable.
So even if it lands where it’s supposed to, it won’t pollinate the flower.
