If you’re growing flowers, fruits, or certain vegetables in your Scentalis Vita hydroponic system, you may eventually need to consider pollination. While many plants rely on pollinators like bees or wind in nature, indoor hydroponic systems require a bit of manual assistance. But don't worry, pollination in hydroponics is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.
What is pollination?
Pollination is a natural process that enables plants to produce fruit and seeds. In flowering plants, pollen is transferred from the male part of the flower (the anther) to the female part (the stigma). This transfer can happen within the same flower, between flowers on the same plant, or even between different plants. Once pollinated, the plant can develop fruit, seeds, or even flowers in certain cases.
Types of pollination:
Self-pollination: Some plants like tomatoes and peppers are self-pollinating, which means they can fertilize themselves without help from other plants.
Cross-pollination: Other plants such as cucumbers require pollen from another flower to fertilize and produce fruit.
Why pollination is important
In hydroponics, the main purpose of pollination is to encourage fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to produce the fruit we’re growing them for. Without pollination, these plants will flower but won’t produce any fruit or seeds. By manually pollinating indoor plants, we’re simply giving them a helping hand in an environment without natural pollinators like bees or wind.
Which plants need pollination?
Not every plant grown indoors needs to be pollinated. Herbs, leafy greens, and many ornamental flowers grow perfectly well without it. However, if you’re growing fruiting plants in your Scentalis Vita, pollination is essential for the plants to develop fruit.
Examples of plants that require pollination in hydroponics:
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but they often benefit from a gentle nudge to ensure the pollen moves effectively within the flower.
Peppers: Similar to tomatoes, peppers are self-pollinating but often produce better yields with a bit of manual assistance.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers usually require cross-pollination and will need extra attention to ensure each flower is pollinated properly.
Strawberries: These plants require some pollination to produce fruit, although they can be a bit more challenging indoors due to their delicate flowers.
How to pollinate your plants indoors
If your plants need pollination, there are several methods you can use. The goal is to transfer pollen from the male to the female parts of each flower to encourage fruit production.
1. Using a soft brush or cotton swab
This is considered one of the more simple yet effective methods. Gently rub the brush or swab inside each flower to pick up pollen, then transfer it to the next flower. This method works well for tomatoes, peppers and strawberries.
Steps:
- Choose a small, soft brush or cotton swab.
- Swirl it around the inside of one flower to pick up pollen.
- Move to the next flower and repeat the process, brushing gently to transfer pollen.
2. Shaking the plant
For self-pollinating plants like tomatoes and peppers, a gentle shake is often enough. By shaking the plant, you help the pollen fall from the male part of the flower to the female part.
Steps:
- Lightly shake the stem or individual branches where flowers are clustered.
- Repeat this every few days when the flowers are open.
3. Using a small fan
If you have a small fan, you can place it near your plants to imitate a gentle breeze. This airflow helps distribute pollen between flowers, especially for plants with larger blooms.
Steps:
- Set up a fan on a low setting near your plants.Let it run for 10-15 minutes a day when the flowers are open.
- This can be particularly useful for plants like cucumbers and strawberries, which often benefit from cross-pollination assistance.
4. Electric toothbrush method
An electric toothbrush is a surprising but effective tool for self-pollinating plants like tomatoes. The vibration helps release pollen within each flower, increasing the chances of successful pollination.
Steps:
- Turn on the toothbrush and hold it gently against the stem near the flower.
- Let it vibrate for a few seconds to release pollen within the flower.
- Repeat for each flowering branch.
When to pollinate
Timing is key for successful pollination. Flowers are most receptive to pollination during peak blooming, which typically happens in the morning. Try to pollinate your plants when the flowers are open and look fresh. Pollinating too early or too late can reduce the effectiveness since flowers are not always receptive.
Recommended timing:
- Pollinate in the morning when possible, as flowers tend to be more receptive early in the day.
- Repeat the process every few days while the plants are flowering, as new flowers may open each day.
Signs that pollination has worked
After a few days, you may notice certain changes in the flowers that indicate successful pollination. Often times the flower will start to wither or drop its petals and a small fruit will begin to form at the base of the bloom.
Signs to look for:
- Flowers that close or wither and begin to produce small fruit at the base.
- In some plants, pollinated flowers will look slightly swollen before fruit development begins.
- If flowers fall off without forming any fruit, it could mean that pollination didn’t succeed, and you may need to try again with a different method.
