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Indoor Gardening Pollination #819812

Asked February 06, 2023, 9:27 AM EST

My brother in Kettering is growing a couple of pepper plants indoors using south exposure windows. The seeds came from a store-bought orange pepper. The plants are now flowering and he is concerned that pollination is necessary and will not occur without bees. It has been delightful for both of us to track progress. Any insights are appreciated. Thanks a million!

Montgomery County Ohio

Expert Response

Peppers and tomatoes and other members of the Solanacea family are self-pollinated and do not require the pollen from another plant.  Each bloom, however, must be pollinated with the pollen from its own anthers.  The flower does not require a bee to move that pollen but in nature, bumble bees are effective pollinators by using a process known as "buzz pollination."  By vibrating the flower, the pollen is dropped from the anther onto the stigma of the flower and pollination occurs.  In greenhouse horticulture, bumble bees are often used to assure that the pepper flowers are all pollinated.  In your case, you can assure pollination by simply flicking each bloom with your finger to accomplish the task.  In your garden you can help the buzz pollinators by shaking each plant daily to help move the pollen from each anther to the respective stigma.   The following website will further explain buzz pollination: 
https://gsas.harvard.edu/news/stories/what%E2%80%99s-buzz-bees-behavior-and-pollination

Pollinating Peppers Indoors By Hand - Bing video

For plants that are not self-pollinated, it is necessary to physically move pollen from one flower to another by means of a brush, swab, or similar mechanism.  In nature, bees typically carry that pollen on their bodies and deposit it on other flowers while gathering nectar.
Bill J. Replied February 07, 2023, 11:39 AM EST

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