pollination

count_rostov

I'm growing peppers inside a greenhouse for the first time this year. Do I need to pollinate them by hand? I'm also growing tomatoes and cucumbers inside but they're all bearing fruit already so I assume I don't need to do anything to them. Also, I'm growing pumpkins and courgettes outside. Do I need to pollinate them by hand?
just thought you stuck the seed in a pot and left them to it!

Farway

As your toms & cucs are fruiting then it would seem insects are doing the biz in your greenhouse anyway, so the peppers should be OK

Pumpkins / courgettes may need hand pollinating as the flowers do not last long, day at most, so the bees may just miss them

count_rostov

Thanks Farway, I'll get my paintbrush out for the courgettes and pumpkins.

Farway

count_rostov wrote: »

Thanks Farway, I'll get my paintbrush out for the courgettes and pumpkins.

No need for a paintbrush, just break off a male flower and stick it in the females

Larumbelle

Farway wrote: »

No need for a paintbrush, just break off a male flower and stick it in the females

True love strikes again :kisses3: :rotfl:

Farway

silvercharming wrote: »

True love strikes again :kisses3: :rotfl:

and you don't have to buy it a meal:rotfl:

GardenLover

My little gardening book says to tap tomato and pepper plants lightly at around midday to encourage pollination. I've left the courgettes to it and they're doing OK - some are rotting though. Is it just because it's been raining non-stop here?

Farway

GardenLover wrote: »

I've left the courgettes to it and they're doing OK - some are rotting though. Is it just because it's been raining non-stop here?

Yes, rain and damp cause the rotting, lost all mine in last year's weather

count_rostov

An update on this - I had to go away for a fortnight for work and although OH watered all plants he didn't get them frisky! But, when I came back, we had four little peppers forming so they did it all by themselves. I also realised why I wasn't having any luck with the courgettes and pumpkins - they were flowering but the chickens were eating the flowers! They were in pots (well, coal sacks) so we've moved them where the chickens can't get them. As soon as they flower I'll do the business with the male and female flowers just to be sure.
Oh, re the paintbrush, I though I had to mimic a bumble bee and they're fluffy!