Is Pollination Needed for Greenhouse Plants?

Bumblebees can help pollinate greenhouse plants.

Plants that rely on pollination when grown outdoors require pollinating in the greenhouse, too. Since greenhouse plants can't rely on wind, birds, insects or butterflies to help with pollination, they must rely on other methods controlled by the greenhouse operator.

Bumblebees

Some greenhouse operations use bumblebees to help pollinate the plants. The bees feed on the plants' nectar and pollen, helping to transfer pollen between the plants. Even self-pollinating plants such as peppers find bee pollination productive, since it helps ensure a higher-quality fruit set.

Hand Pollination

Gardeners use hand pollination -- both those who work with just a few plants and in larger operations. One hand-pollination method for larger greenhouses includes the use of plants that grow on wires for support, such as tomatoes. The plants are pollinated by striking the wires with a broom handle while walking among the plants.

Mechanical

Some greenhouse growers use electric vibrators to help pollinate plants. The flower clusters are vibrated to help transfer the pollen from the bloom's anthers to the stigma. Other mechanical systems include mist blowers and automatic wire-shaking systems.

References

• Texas A&M University System Agricultural Extension Service: Greenhouse Tomato Culture
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Production of Greenhouse-Grown Peppers in Florida

Resources

• Mother Earth News: Grow Your Own Vegetable Seeds the Professional Way