[BusyMommy]

Do I need to pollinate tomato plants that are inside? I started some seeds in my hydroponic garden meaning to move them outdoors. Then, life got crazy and now I have HUGE tomato plants that are already flowering. So, uh, guess I can't transplant them. Do I need to pollinate? If so...how?

Or, if I somehow carried them outside and avoided the drying sun, how long should I hope for a bee to come by and do its work?

geez,
sorry
They're just gorgeous and I have no idea what to do w/them/

 

[crunchymamatobe]

I have transplanted plants that were already flowering, and they seem to be okay.

The Plants for a Future database (highly recommended!) says of tomatoes, "The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile." So that implies that you need *something* to help transfer pollen around in the flower. You could just use a soft feather or something to help the plants out if you don't want to invite insects inside!

 

[BusyMommy]

Bummer, thanks! Okay, I may try to figure out how to transplant them from indoors AND from cocopeat. Yikes

What's the database? Sounds interesting--I may have to go google!