# Tomatoes Self Pollinate Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants, meaning each flower contains both male and female parts. However, they still benefit from assistance to ensure successful pollination, especially when growing indoors or in greenhouses. ## How Tomato Pollination Works ### Natural Process - Wind and vibrations naturally shake pollen from anthers to stigma - Outdoor plants benefit from breeze and pollinator activity - Indoor plants may need human intervention ### Manual Pollination Techniques - **Electric toothbrush method**: Gently vibrate the flower stems to release pollen into the ovary - **Gentle shaking**: Tap or shake the plant gently each day - **Small paintbrush**: Transfer pollen between flowers manually - **Best timing**: Mid-morning when humidity is moderate ## Why Assist Pollination? 1. **Increased fruit set**: More flowers develop into fruit 2. **Better fruit quality**: Fully pollinated flowers produce larger, more uniform tomatoes 3. **Essential indoors**: No natural wind or pollinators 4. **Greenhouse necessity**: Limited air movement ## Tips for Success - Pollinate every 2-3 days during flowering - Focus on newly opened flowers - Avoid over-vibrating which can damage flowers - Maintain 40-70% humidity for optimal pollen release ## Related Notes - [[Gardening Tips]] - General gardening principles - [[Raised Beds]] - Growing tomatoes in raised beds - [[MOCs/Gardening]] - Complete gardening knowledge