How to Pollinate Strawberries

Hand pollinating strawberry plants increases the number and size of the berries.

Strawberry blooms contain both the male and female reproductive organs and they are capable of self-fertilization. Some varieties will develop fruit even when no pollination occurred, but pollination creates higher quality, larger berries. When natural pollinators are absent, such as when growing strawberries inside or on a balcony, hand pollinate the blooms to increase fruit set. Cross-pollinate using different varieties to enjoy a larger crop.

Things You'll Need

• Small paintbrush
• Magnifying glass (optional)

Instructions

1. Brush the paintbrush against the anthers when the flower blooms open. The anthers circle the perimeter of the yellow center of the flower. The anthers are located at the ends of elongated filaments and are slightly darker in color than the rest of the flower.

2. Brush the paintbrush against the yellow center of the same flower or against the center of a different flower. Brushing the same flower or any flower of the same plant, results in self-pollination, which creates a clone of the parent. Pollinating a different plant's flower is cross-pollination, which allows you to combine traits from two different plants.

3. Continue brushing anthers and then each flower's center until all the flowers have been pollinated.

References

• West Virginia University; Growing Short Day Strawberries within High Tunnels; Lewis W. Jett
• Cornell University Department of Horticulture: Strawberry Yields Forever
• Winnipeg School Division; Hand Pollination of Strawberry Blossoms; February 21, 2007