Before a tomato ever reaches your plate, there’s an important stage that needs to happen in the glasshouse: pollination.
Tomato plants produce beautiful yellow flowers, but for those flowers to successfully develop into tomatoes, pollen needs to move within the flower.
It’s a fascinating part of the growing process and one that ultimately contributes to the crop we harvest.
From Flower to Tomato
Every tomato starts life as a flower.
Tomato flowers contain both male and female reproductive structures. For fruit to begin developing, pollen needs to reach the receptive part of the flower.
In the natural world, movement from wind and insects can help this process.
In commercial glasshouse growing, however, growers need reliable pollination across large numbers of plants.
The Buzz Behind Tomato Growing
One fascinating solution used widely in glasshouse tomato production is bumblebee pollination.
Bumblebees are particularly well suited to tomato flowers because of something known as buzz pollination.
They grip onto a flower and vibrate their flight muscles, helping release pollen from the flower.
As they move between flowers, they help support effective pollination throughout the crop.
Why Good Pollination Is Important
Successful pollination is an important step towards good fruit development.
Without adequate pollination, flowers may fail to set fruit properly, affecting the development and consistency of the crop.
It’s another reminder that producing a tomato involves far more than simply providing a plant with water and waiting for it to grow.
Working With Natural Processes
Modern glasshouse growing combines technology, experience and natural processes.
We’ve previously shared some of the ways beneficial insects can play a role in managing pests. Pollination provides another fascinating example of how insects can contribute to tomato production.
From the moment the first flowers appear to the day ripe tomatoes are harvested, every stage requires careful management.
So the next time you enjoy a tomato, remember – its journey started with one little yellow flower and a very important process happening behind the scenes.
