the birds and the bees of hydroponics
“ Pollination of fruiting plants in an indoor garden environment is not a complex or timeconsuming task , but it yields huge results ”
Pollination and the resulting seeds set determine fruit size , shape , and uniformity .
Maintaining the correct fruit loading balance is essential if good-sized and great-tasting fruit are to be produced . As a result , many of these varieties require manual fruitlet thinning . This common commercial practice involves selectively pruning off young fruitlets to a more manageable number for the size of the plant and growing conditions . For example , beefsteak tomato growers take the smallest and last set fruit from the end of the truss , allowing four to six fruit to remain . Similarly , any cucumber fruits that set on the first few feet of main stem are removed from young plants . Strawberry flowers are pruned until the plants reach a specific size or leaf number for crop development . Misshapen fruit are another common pollination issue , one that is often misdiagnosed by inexperienced growers . For example , the condition known as ‘ cat face ’ in tomatoes is caused by cool temperatures during pollination . When one or more of the locules ( compartments within the fruit containing seeds ) has not been fertilized and produced sufficient seeds , its growth will be restricted and the final fruit deformed . Another deformity of tomatoes is puffy fruit , which are large , lightweight , soft , watery , and puffy . This disorder is caused by excessive nitrogen levels , use of hormone setting sprays , and other conditions that cause poor pollination . If misshapen fruit develop on the plant , these should be removed while still as small as possible so the plant can redirect assimilate into other fruit .
Pollination of fruiting plants in an indoor garden environment is not a complex or time-consuming task , but it yields huge results . Growers are rewarded with good-sized , well-shaped fruit . Understanding the specific requirements of different fruiting plant types , methods of indoor pollination , and attention to timing is all that is required to achieve that perfect degree of fruit set .
142 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017