In the open air, insects take over the pollination of chilli flowers. Artificial insemination is essential in indoor culture or for single-variety seeds. If you know what you're doing, you can prevent undesirable hybrids - using a sophisticated strategy and simple means.

Cross-pollination torpedoes varietal purity

With pretty flowers, chillies attract insects all summer long in hopes of pollination. That's not always desirable, especially if you're growing different strains. So-called cross-pollination ultimately leads to hybrids that no one likes.

There is a lack of pollinating insects in the conservatory, living room or greenhouse. Without targeted intervention by the gardener, the longed-for pods will sooner or later fail to appear.

Good to know that chili plants are self-fertile. In concrete terms, this means that fertilization can take place within the same inflorescence. The pollen only has to get from one flower to the other on the individual plant.

Pollinate the chili before the flower opens

For artificial pollination to be successful, the mercury column must not fall below 19 degrees Celsius. The tool consists of a fine hair brush for each type and tweezers.

  • carefully open the flower with the tweezers
  • use the brush to transfer the pollen from one flower to the other
  • wrap each pollinated flower in a gauze or tulle wrapper and label

The use of a separate brush for each type is of essential importance. Optionally, cotton swabs also do the job.

Do not shake flowering chili

At first glance, the chili layman assumes that shaking the plants at the appropriate time will achieve the desired effect. This can only be approved if there is a single variety within a radius of 400 meters.

The vast majority of chili enthusiasts, however, favor growing different strains. In this case, shaking is extremely counterproductive. The tender pollen spreads unhindered on all chili plants that are in their way.

In the open air, a gentle gust of wind is enough to achieve the same effect. That's why knowledgeable hobby gardeners pack their chili plants in air-permeable covers. To be on the safe side, they also pollinate with a brush.

tips and tricks

In the allotment garden there is no need to invest in expensive gauze fabric to protect chili plants. Inexpensive tea bags to fill yourself are put over individual blossoms without further ado.

Category:

Vegetable garden