How To Tell If Flower Has Been Pollinated

When your garden is in full bloom, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of it all. However, keep in mind that the process behind the petals is what makes it all possible.

Pollination is crucial for many plants to produce edible fruit, and it’s not something that we can see with the naked eye. If your vegetable plants aren’t producing well, a lack of pollination can be the reason.

This can happen if pollinators like bees, butterflies, or birds don’t pay enough attention to the blooms.

Close-up of a fuzzy, brown and yellow bee with translucent wings perched on a cluster of lavender buds, poised to pollinate.

We are here to help so you can tell if a flower has been pollinated by looking for visible signs. This will help you understand what happens after the petals fall.

Finally, to grow the best produce this season, follow our expert gardening tips for planning and laying out your garden paths. This will ensure that your tomatoes, pumpkins, and other veggies grow and are healthy.

What Are The Common Signs of Pollinated Flowers?

While the indicators can vary slightly depending on the plant species, there are several common signs that a flower has been successfully pollinated:

Check how Clover spreads through pollination and other methods.

Flower Petals Wilt or Drop Off

The petals often lose their vibrant color after pollination and may wilt or fall off. This is a sign that the flower is putting energy into developing seeds rather than attracting pollinators.

Color Change in the Flower

In some plants, the flower may change color after pollination, which signals that the flower no longer needs to attract pollinators.

Swelling of the Ovary

The base of the flower, known as the ovary, will start to swell as it develops into a fruit. This is one of the most noticeable signs of successful pollination.

Formation of a Fruit

As the ovary grows, it gradually forms a fruit. The fruit development indicates that pollination has occurred and seeds are forming.

Development of Seeds

In some cases, you can observe the development of seeds within the fruit or the swollen part of the plant.

Shrivelling or Drying of the Stigma and Style

The stigma (the part of the flower that receives the pollen) and the style (the stalk that supports the stigma) may shrivel or dry up after pollination.

Behavior of Pollinators

Observing the behavior of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds can also give clues. They are likely to transfer pollen if they actively visit the flower and move from one to another.

How To Tell If Tomato Flower Is Pollinated?

Nestled among vibrant green leaves, a cluster of ripening tomatoes transitions from green to orange, highlighting the importance of pollination in a thriving garden.

Determining whether a tomato flower has been successfully pollinated involves observing key signs.

Tomato flowers are typically self-pollinating, meaning they don’t require another plant for pollination.

However, they still need the pollen to move from the male part (stamen) to the female part (pistil) within the same flower, which wind, bees, or manual shaking can aid.

Here are the signs to look for to tell if tomato flower is pollinated:

Flower Drop: After successful pollination, the yellow flower often wilts and drops off, leaving a small, green bulge at the base. This is the beginning of the tomato fruit.
Fruit Development: The most obvious sign is the development of a small green fruit at the base of the flower. This indicates that the flower was pollinated successfully, and the fruit is now beginning to grow.
Swelling of the Ovary: The base of the flower (the ovary) will start to swell as it develops into a tomato. If the flower remains small or dries up and falls off without swelling, pollination likely did not occur.
Change in Flower Structure: Post-pollination, the petals and the central parts of the flower (like the stigma and style) may shrivel or dry up as the plant’s energy focuses on fruit development.
Observation of Pollinator Activity: While tomatoes are self-pollinating, the presence of bees or other pollinators shaking or vibrating the flowers can indicate that pollination is likely to be successful.
Weather Conditions: Ideal conditions for tomato pollination include warm (not hot) and slightly humid weather. Extreme temperatures or high humidity can hinder the pollination process.

How To Tell If Female Pumpkin Flower Is Pollinated?

A pumpkin plant with large green leaves growing in the ground, showcasing the role of pollination.

Unlike tomato plants, pumpkin plants have separate male and female flowers and rely on bees and other pollinators for successful cross-pollination.

Here are signs to look for:

Swelling of the Flower Base: After successful pollination, the base of the female flower, which is the ovary, starts to swell and grow. This swelling is the beginning of the pumpkin fruit. If the flower has been pollinated, this swollen part will grow into a pumpkin.
Wilting and Closing of the Flower: The female flower will wilt, close up, and eventually fall off after pollination. This is a natural process as the plant focuses its energy on growing the fruit.
Change in Color and Texture: The flower may change color or texture as it begins to wilt and die.
Observation of Pollinator Activity: Watching for bees or other insects visiting the flowers can be a good indicator. Successful pollination is more likely if you’ve observed bees actively moving pollen from male to female flowers.
Failure to Develop Fruit: If the flower is not successfully pollinated, the tiny fruit at the base of the flower will stop growing and eventually shrivel and fall off the plant.
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather conditions, like high heat or heavy rain, can affect pollination. If such conditions are present, it might hinder pollination even if bees visit the flowers.

How To Tell If Squash Is Pollinated?

A mature squash with visible signs of pollination, such as a swollen base and a dried, withered flower attached to the stem.

To tell if a squash is pollinated, you can look for the following signs:

Swelling of the Base of the Female Flower: After a female squash flower is pollinated, the ovary at the base of the flower (which looks like a miniature squash) will start to grow and develop into a mature fruit. If this part of the flower begins to enlarge, it’s a good sign that pollination has occurred.
Wilting and Drying of the Female Flower: Post-pollination, the petals of the female flower will often wilt, shrivel, and eventually fall off. This is a natural response as the plant shifts energy to develop the fruit.
Behavior of Pollinators: Observing bees or other pollinators actively visiting the flowers can indicate that pollination is likely. These insects transfer pollen from the male to the female flowers as they move between them.
Lack of Fruit Development: If the flower is not successfully pollinated, the small embryonic fruit at the base of the female flower will not grow. Instead, it will yellow, shrivel, and eventually fall off.
Environmental Factors: Extreme heat, humidity, or rain can interfere with pollination. These conditions can either deter pollinators or affect the viability of the pollen.

How To Tell If Zucchini Is Pollinated?

A close-up view of a zucchini plant with a fully developed zucchini attached to the stem, indicating successful pollination.

To tell if zucchini is pollinated, you can look for the following signs:

Fruit Growth: Pollinated zucchini squash will stay green and grow longer daily. Unpollinated squash plants turn yellow at the end before eventually turning brown before dying. Zucchini squash will not grow to full ripeness without pollination.
Observation of the Fruit: Pollinated zucchini remains light green and grows longer daily. Poor pollination turns zucchini yellow before it stops growing and rots on the vine.

How To Tell If A Pepper Flower Is Pollinated?

A close-up of a pepper plant with a yellowish and red pepper visible, indicating successful pollination of the pepper flower.

Pepper plants, like tomatoes, are typically self-pollinating, but they can benefit from external factors like wind or pollinator activity to help move the pollen. Here are the signs to look for:

Flower Dropping Off: After successful pollination, the petals of the pepper flower will usually wilt, dry out, and eventually drop off. This is a natural process as the plant focuses its energy on growing the fruit.
Fruit Development: The most apparent sign of successful pollination is the development of a small pepper at the base of the flower. Initially, this may appear as a tiny swelling or bulge, which will grow into a pepper.
Change in the Flower’s Appearance: The flower may change in appearance, often looking wilted or discolored, as the plant shifts its resources from the flower to developing the fruit.
Behavior of Pollinators: While pepper plants can self-pollinate, the presence of bees and other pollinators can be a good sign. Their activity can help ensure the pollen effectively reaches the stigma, even within the same flower.
Lack of Fruit Development: If the flower was not successfully pollinated, you will notice that the small bulge at the flower’s base does not grow and eventually falls off the plant.

How To Tell If Corn Is Pollinated?

A view of a corn plant with fully developed ears of corn, indicating successful pollination.

To tell if corn is pollinated, you can look for the following signs:

Silk Browning: The silk will turn brown and dry up after pollination. This is a sign that the pollen has successfully fertilized the ovules.
Ear Development: A pollinated ear of corn will begin to develop and grow in size. The kernels will become plump and start to fill out the cob.
Shake Test: You can perform a shake test to see if the pollen has been successfully transferred to the silks. Gently shake the stalk of the corn plant and observe if any pollen falls from the tassels onto the silks.
Uniformity of Silks: Ideally, all silks should emerge from the husks simultaneously. This uniformity increases the chances of successful pollination, as all silks have an equal opportunity to catch pollen.
Observation of the Tassels: If they are brown and dry, this is a sign that they have shed their pollen and pollination has occurred.

How To Tell If Watermelon Is Pollinated?

Two ripe watermelons resting on the ground, indicating successful pollination of the watermelon flowers.

Here’s how to tell if your watermelon flowers have been successfully pollinated:

Appearance of Fruit: A pollinated watermelon will start to develop a small fruit at the base of the flower. This fruit will grow and eventually become the watermelon you harvest.
Color of the Fruit: As the watermelon grows, it will change its color from light green to yellow, then turn orange, and finally to the deep red or purple color you’re familiar with. This color change indicates that the watermelon has been pollinated and is developing correctly.
Vine Growth: A pollinated watermelon will cause the vine to grow and develop more fruit. This is because the plant directs energy towards the developing fruit, which will continue growing and expanding.

How To Tell If Lemon Flower Is Pollinated?

A lemon tree branch with leaves and a lemon fruit attached, indicating successful pollination and growth.

Lemon trees are generally self-pollinating, meaning they don’t require another tree to produce fruit but can benefit from pollinator activity.

Here’s what to look for to check if your lemon flowers have been successfully pollinated:

Change in the Flower: After successful pollination, the petals of the lemon flower will typically wilt and fall off. This process reveals the base of the flower, the ovary, beginning to develop into a fruit.
Fruit Development: The most apparent sign of successful pollination is the growth of a small lemon fruit at the base of the flower.
Observation of Pollinator Activity: While lemon trees can self-pollinate, the presence of bees and other pollinators can facilitate the pollination process.
Wilting and Drying of the Stigma: The stigma may wilt or dry up after successful pollination, indicating that the flower no longer needs to attract pollen.
Absence of Fruit Development: If the flower is not successfully pollinated, the slight bulge at the base of the flower will not develop and may eventually drop off or dry out.

Final Words

Understanding the signs of successful pollination is crucial for any gardener or farmer.

Whether it’s the swelling of a squash‘s base, the wilting of a lemon flower’s petals, or the development of a tiny fruit on a tomato plant, these indicators can guide you in nurturing your plants effectively.

Pollination is more than just a biological process; it’s a critical step in your plants’ life cycle, determining your harvest’s success. By staying observant and responding appropriately to these signs, you can enhance the productivity and health of your garden.

Remember, each plant has unique pollination cues, so paying close attention and learning these subtle changes can make a significant difference.

Armed with this knowledge, you’re well on your way to becoming a more prosperous and informed gardener, ready to reap the rewards of your hard work and dedication and stay with our blog section.

How To Tell If A Flower Has Been Pollinated?