For many garden plants , pollenation is the key to successful fruiting ( the food product ) and is essential for seed yield if you design to pull through seeds for the next year . For perennial , pollenation is usually key to keeping the plant endure year after year .
Interference of Pollination
Many thing can intervene with proper pollination . The most plebeian , outside of interference with pollinators ( normally bugs ) , are improper temperature , not enough wind , or physical barrier keeping the plants from contacting one another for pollination .
In the cause of temperature , this is often a short - term anomaly in local conditions that can sometimes have huge effects on a garden ’s productiveness . It ’s a relatively uncommon occurrence for temperature to interfere with pollination for long , but in the case of early frosts or other plant - killer , it can be annihilating .
Not enough or untimely guidance wind / breeze can be another issue .
Pollination Tips: Know Your Pollinators
bee are n’t the only critters that pollenate plant in the garden . Moths , flies , beetles and others can effectively pollinate as well . For this reason , caring only for honeybee as pollinator is putting all of your eggs in one basket and a formula for eventual problems . Even beneficial garden predators such as ladybugs can be casual pollinator as well .
Of of course , the bee rule supreme as pollinator , but others play a role and should be both known and protected .
Don’t Kill Your Pollinators
Keep your garden flourish with life by giving quarter to those hemipteran and creepies that are useful for your garden ’s wellness . Most non - plant - eating bugs , such as those already number , are beneficial to garden . Using generalized poisons for pour down pests also kill these bugs ( not to mention the nightwalker that are so of the essence to good territory ) . The object should be to encourage the good bugs while discouraging or eliminating the big ace .
First , if you must spray , do n’t ever spray when your plants are flowering . Be thrifty not to foul potential water generator for pollinator – specially bees . Apply the pesticide you must habituate after dusk since most pollinator are not active at night .
lastly , advance bees and other pollinators by give them a good home ground . institute the flowers or other plants that attract specific pollinator as an attractant to encourage them .
Don’t Block Wind Pollinated Plants
In most cases , not much gentle wind flowing at all is need to affect wind pollination and some gardeners go to the extremum by put in sports fan to provide that breeze . The biggest job is commonly with structures or barrier that obstruct the airflow itself , however . Even a trellis of green beans or hydrangea too close to the plant call for pollination can be enough to keep it from happening . The best way to assuage this job is to reconsider your garden layout to remove the obstacle or move the plant in question .
Hand Pollinate
When worse comes to bad , you’re able to always do it yourself . mitt cross-pollinate is not for the faint-hearted or impatient . You will want the right tools for the job ( often specialized cotton swabs ) and a lot of time . You will duck the swab into the male flower to collect pollen and then place it into the distaff flower for fertilization . Some plants can be shake or blown with fans to encourage pollination , but most will expect that you do it one by one .
Want to learn more about tips for better pollination?
Pollinator Friendly Farming : Principles and Practicesfrom Pennsylvania State University Cooperative ExtensionHome Vegetable Garden Techniques : Hand Pollination of Squash and Corn in Small Gardensfrom University of Florida Extension
