pollination?

[katihannah]

I have some tomato plants growing indoors on a windowsill, and they are just starting to produce flowerbuds. Will I have to pollinate them by hand and if so what's the best way of doing it?

Thanks

Katie

[juststartingtoms]

Hi Katie

I'm a novice too, but i've done a lot of research

I've read that if they are not outdoors, you can pollinate them with a small paintbrush, dampen with some water, take some pollen from one flower & rub onto the other . . .

Hope this helps!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Katie, tomatoes are self pollinating but because of the structure of the flower they need a helping hand to produce a good crop. If growing in a greenhouse or conservatory then you just need to tap the plant or give it a gentle shake to help the flower pollinate. When growing outside the wind shakes the plant to aide pollination.

[DavidT]

I agree with Lesley, just give the stems a tap when the flowers are fully open.

[katihannah]

thank you, that's really helpful, I'll get shaking just as soon as the flowers are fully open.