Tools for Pollinating Flowers

Cotton Swab

• The humble cotton swab is a useful pollinating tool. The cotton swab picks up most kinds of pollen. As long as you're careful when transferring the pollen from the male to the female flower, it should adhere to the tiny cotton ball long enough for successful pollination Gently rub the end of the swab around the male flower’s stamen until the tip is thickly coated in pollen. Dust that pollen directly onto the center of the female flower.

Hands

• You can pollinate some plants with your hands. This usually is the case when trying to pollinate a fruit plant, such as squash. Pluck a male flower from the plant. Identify the male flower by the protruding section in the middle of the plant. Dust the male flower against the female flower to pollinate it.

Paintbrush

• A paintbrush is sometimes used to transfer pollen. Peel away the male flower’s petals, so that you have better access to the pollen. Coat the paintbrush in the pollen as best you can before painting it onto the female flower’s stigma. This technique is sometimes used by pumpkin growers ensuring pollination.

Insects

• If you're dealing with a very large garden and are worried about pollination, it may be too difficult to pollinate by hand. In this case, introduce natural pollinators into the environment. Some people don't want the responsibility of keeping their own bees on the property, but it is also possible to rent a beehive to pollinate your flowers.