How to: Self-Pollination of Watermelons

Watermelon plants require thorough pollination to set uniform, symmetrical fruit. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, but pollen must be transferred from the male flower to the female before the fruit will start to grow. Pollination is normally performed by bees, but in cases where pollinating insects are not plentiful, it may be necessary to self-pollinate the watermelon plants by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swab

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Find the male and female flowers on a watermelon plant. The female flowers have a small fruit already formed behind the petals.

   • 2

     Twirl a cotton swab in the center of a male flower to collect the pollen.

   • 3

     Twirl the same swab against the stigma of a female flower on the same plant. Make sure to touch all parts of the stigmatic surface. The watermelon has just been self-pollinated. Hand pollination is most effective in the morning hours.