How to Pollinate Peas

Pea plant pollination produces edible seeds within the pea pods. These seeds are the product of the sexual reproduction of the plant, which combines the genetic information of the male sperm with the female egg. Without pollination, the plant does not produce seeds. Pea plants naturally self-pollinate, but they are also capable of cross-pollination. Self-pollination occurs when a single plant fertilizes itself, while cross-pollination is the result of one pea plant variety providing the pollen that fertilizes a second pea plant variety.

Soft paintbrush
Magnifying glass (optional)
Electric toothbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Brush a soft paintbrush against the anthers of the flower. When the pollen is mature, the pollen will easily fall from the anthers when brushed. The anthers are located on long filaments in the center of the flower and are grainy in appearance. Use a magnifying glass if necessary to examine the flower for maturity.
- 2
  Hold an electric toothbrush under the mature pea flower and turn the toothbrush on to force self-pollination of the flower. The gentle vibration causes pollen from the flower's anthers to fall onto the receptive stigma, which results in fertilization. For cross-pollination, brush the paintbrush against the anthers to collect pollen and then dot the paintbrush onto the stigma of a second plant variety.
- 3
  Examine the flower's stigma using the magnifying glass. When properly fertilized, the pollen will be visible on the stigma and it will lose its sticky feeling. If the stigma is not fully covered with pollen, use the toothbrush to further vibrate the bloom.

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