Am wondering if I am being really stupid. Do indoor tomatoes need pollinating and do people do it by hand? I grew indoor ones last year and they set without me doing anything. This year lots of flowers but no tomatoes at all.
Sorry if this is a stupid question....!
Yes, they need pollinating if insects cannot get in easily. To pollinate simply gently tap the the flower truss with the back of your hand whenever you go to the greenhouse.
Thanks realfood - does one flower pollinate another then?
Ditto!
I have Loads of tommie plants this year and only 1 - yes 1- tomato!!? I have noticed there have been virtually no bees around my allotment this year though, which figures really!
Tap your canes so plant shakes.. Otherwise use a soft blusher blush or better still a rabbits tail, lightly brushing your trusses of flowers, this should transfer pollen amongst them. :)
If you can't get hold of a rabbit's tail or don't like the thought of using one, any bird feather will suffice.
Ninny
They are self pollinating and the tapping of the truss just shakes the pollen within each flower to fertilise that flower. You do not need to go to the trouble of a rabbit's tail.
They are self pollinating , they do however usually pollinate before the flower is fully open.
The pollen is high up inside the flower and movement shakes it down to where it needs to be.
Outside the wind or the movement of insects landing on the flower can achieve this, often with indoor tomatoes a person pruning etc is enough but if not the flower need a bit of human help.
A fan about 10 minutes a day works well but no use if you are not near electricity.
You can shake the flower truss, ideally for a minute or so
. A brush is good for cukes, squash etc as the flower is fully open but it is vibration you need with tomatoes. The exception is when you see one of the big odd looking mega blooms, they are fully exposed which is why they cross pollinate so easily.
The very best thing I have found to pollinate indoor tomatoes is an old rechargable toothbrush, I use mine all the time. Just gently place the vibrating brush (not the other side) on the tomato flower where it attaches for a few seconds.
To test what I am saying, take a piece of white paper, place it under the flower, vibrate it and you will see the pollen on the paper.
I have tried all sorts of things and this works way better than anything else I have done ,it makes a hige differce in greenhouse tomatoes. I use it as a regular thing
XX Jeannine