How to Hand-Pollinate Fruit Trees for Bigger, More Delicious Harvests

Hand pollination is a great way to get your fruit trees to produce better, more abundant harvests. It partly substitutes for natural pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds—which is especially important in greenhouses, inner city plots, or during bouts of cold or wet weather. Here, experts explain the many benefits of hand pollination, as well as everything you need to know to try this method yourself.

Benefits of Hand Pollination

Fruit trees that have no natural access to pollinators—such as those grown indoors—will need to be pollinated by hand in order to produce fruit, says Lotte Berendsen, a gardening expert at PlantIn.  

“Also, the number of pollinating insects, like bees, is declining rapidly,” she adds. “Through hand pollination, you can help your trees set fruit—despite the lack of natural pollinators.”

Even trees that pollinate naturally can need a helping hand sometimes. “It's also helpful for achieving maximum success in self-fertile plants, like apricots or peaches,” says Eduard Negodenko, landscaping expert and gardener at Avanti Landscaping. "And for cross-pollinated varieties, like apples or pears, which require pollen from another variety.”

Hand pollination also allows gardeners to use a specific pollen, effectively letting them choose the traits of the resulting fruit. “It's handy in heirloom variety preservation or improving flavor and quality,” says Negodenko. “In short, it gives you more control over your crop and guarantees that all your effort in raising trees won't go to waste.” 

When to Do It

The ideal time for hand pollination is during the tree's active blooming period, says Negodenko—so typically early to mid spring, depending on the variety and your location.

“You’ll want a dry, moderate day, preferably 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, as moisture causes the pollen to clump and render itself nonviable,” he says. “Morning is best, as flowers are fully open, and the pollen is new and powdery.”

Examine the flowers up close. “The anther, which is the male of the flower, ought to be dripping with yellow pollen, and the stigma, the female, ought to be gummy or shiny-looking—this means it's receptive,” Negodenko explains. “Every different species has a different timing, so take note of when each of your trees blooms."

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How to Pollinate By Hand

Flowers are ready for pollination when they are fully opened with clearly visible stamens, says Berendsen. “Precise timing will depend on your specific type of fruit tree, your climate, and the age of your tree,” she adds. Once they're ready, here's how to do it.

Materials Needed

Berendsen recommends a soft, small paintbrush for hand pollination. “This brush will allow you to pick up as much pollen as possible without the risk of dropping it,” she says. “Just make sure the one you use is clean and dry.” 

Negodenko says a cotton swab or even a tiny feather will also work. “These are soft enough not to damage fragile floral structures,” he says. You may also want to use small twist ties or ribbons to label your work. 

Step by Step Instructions 

1. Choose a flower that has visible pollen on the anthers. “These are small yellow pouches at the tip of the stamens,” says Negodenko. “Gently dab your brush or swab onto the anthers to collect pollen—it should stick readily and look like yellow dust.”
2. Use the pollen you’ve just collected and brush it over the stigma of each bloom. “This is the inside center of the flower and typically rises somewhat above the height of the petals and can be sticky,” Negodenko says. “Dust the pollen onto the stigma in a counterclockwise circular motion in order to establish good contact.”
3. Repeat this process on numerous flowers and branches to maximize the chances of successful pollination. “Label the flowers you've pollinated with a tiny ribbon or twist tie so you can track their progress,” Negodenko suggests. “This is especially helpful if you're trying to see how successful different varieties or techniques are.”

Repeat this process daily for as long as the flowers are still healthy and perky. “Once flowers begin to wilt, the pollination period is over, and your tree should start to set fruit," Berendsen says.

Tips and Tricks

Not all fruit trees are the same, Negodenko warns. “Some, like figs or citrus, can often self-pollinate, or don’t require insect pollination at all, so make sure hand pollination is even necessary for the species you’re working with,” he says. “For trees like apples, pears, cherries, and kiwis, having two compatible varieties nearby is usually essential.”

While hand pollination is a great and helpful tool, Berendsen still recommends supporting natural pollinators. “You can attract bees, butterflies, and birds by planting various fragrant and colorful flowers around your garden,” she says. “Avoid using chemical insecticides and sprays, as they can kill these helpful bugs.” 

Also, always sanitize your tools between trees to avoid cross-contamination or disease spread. A cursory wipe with rubbing alcohol or hot water will suffice.

Finally, even with perfect hand pollination, many other factors such as tree age, diet, and general health can influence whether or not your flowers will bear fruit.

“Ensure that your trees are well fertilized, well pruned, and watered accordingly while in bloom,” says Negodenko. “Be patient. Not all flowers you hand-pollinate will yield fruit, and that's alright.”