How to Pollinate a Gerbera

Look for the female and male flowers. The male is easily identified because the stamen contains pollen and is shaped like a tiny banana. The female gerbera daisies have a stigma, which receives pollen. The stigmas are bi-lobed, with two v-shaped lobes on top of each one. They are located at the outer edge of the trans-ring, which is the ring of color in the center of the gerbera. The pollen is powdery in consistency and can be light yellow, white or dark yellow.

Push your finger against the stamen gently to see if the gerbera is ready for pollination. When you remove your finger, if there is pollen on it, the stamen has enough for pollination.

Press an artist's brush, cotton swab or your finger against the anthers. Each stamen has a stalk, called the filament, and an anther, which is located at the tip of each stamen. The anther is a puffy section that carries pollen. Once you touch the brush or swab again the anthers, pollen will transfer to the swab or brush.

Transfer the pollen from the swab to the female gerbera's stigma by gently touching the swab to the stigma. The stigma is sticky and will capture the pollen. It then germinates and builds a tube down the interior of the style, which is the tube that acts as a stem to the stigma. The tube runs to the daisy's ovary, where the pollen grain fertilizes an ovule, forming seeds. The pollination process is complete.

Pollinate as many flowers as necessary for desired results.