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Plant Pollination - Manual


Overview:

Most plants with the aid of insects, wind and various forms of wildlife generally have no problem with pollination.

But there are some plants that sometimes require the human touch.


Most of the Cucurbits e.g. Squash, Gourd, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Courgette, Watermelon, and Cantaloupe, can usually benefit from manual pollination.

This is done by transferring pollen from the anthers on the male flower to the stigma on the female flowers.


There are a number of ways this can be done for example,

Some plants have a short pollination window, so check the plants daily for new flowers.

If only male flowers are blooming, cut a few and place their stems in a cup of water to keep them alive and fresh.

This will ensure that have pollen available when female flowers bloom.

Female flowers are often distinguished by the bulbous or longitudinal ovary behind the petals.


Method:

(using a Pumpkin as an example)

 Male stigma in female ovary

Male stigma in female ovary

Petals removed from male flower

Male Flower

 View of the centre of a male flower

Male Flower

 Close up of female ovary

Female Flower

 Tell tale swelling behind petals

Female Flower