

However, the bloom periods of early and late blooming cultivars may not overlap, resulting in poor pollination. Good pollination can also be expected with mid and late blooming cultivars. The bloom periods of early and mid-season bloomers overlap, allowing for ample cross-pollination and fruit set. Apple cultivars can be classified as early, mid, and late season blooming. However, for maximum production, plant at least two different cultivars with overlapping bloom periods to insure cross-pollination and fruit set. Most apple cultivars will set a small crop with their own pollen. ApplesĪpples are regarded as self-unfruitful. A list of pollination requirements for the various tree fruits is presented below.įruit trees that require two different cultivars for pollination should be planted within 50 to 100 feet of one another to insure good fruit set. Pollination is an important factor when selecting and planting tree fruits. Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from one plant to the flower of a genetically different plant or cultivar. These plants require cross-pollination for fruit set. Many plants cannot produce fruit from their own pollen and are considered self-unfruitful. Self-pollinated plants are said to be self-fruitful. Self-pollination occurs when the pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma on the same flower, from another flower on the same plant, or from a flower on another plant of the same cultivar. After pollination and fertilization, fruit set occurs.

In flowers, pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma.
