Common Questions

Supplemental pollen can help when natural pollination falls short. Commercial fruit growers have been using supplemental pollen since the 1930s to improve pollination and fruit set. 

While fruit production depends on several factors, if you have a healthy tree that blooms well but produces little or no fruit, supplemental pollen gives blossoms another source of compatible pollen.

You usually don’t need to know the exact variety of your tree.

Start by choosing pollen for the same type of fruit—apple pollen for apple trees, cherry pollen for cherry trees, and so on. We’ll flag any important compatibility exceptions on the product page, and if you’re unsure, just contact us before ordering.

Choose pollen for the same type of fruit tree you have—apple pollen for apple trees, cherry pollen for cherry trees, and so on.

We’ll note any important compatibility exceptions on the product page so you know what to look for before ordering. And if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’ll help you choose.

Yes. Supplemental pollen can be especially helpful when you only have one fruit tree or when there isn’t a compatible pollinator nearby.

You apply the pollen directly to open blossoms, so your tree has another source of compatible pollen during bloom.

Each kit includes 3 grams of pollen—enough for about 2–3 typical backyard fruit trees for approximately two bloom seasons.

The exact amount you’ll use depends on tree size and how heavily you apply it.

Use the included brush to lightly apply pollen to the center of freshly opened blossoms.

You don’t need to cover every flower—just work your way around the tree, touching blossoms throughout the canopy.

For step-by-step instructions and application tips, visit our How to Apply Pollen page.

No. A soft application brush is included with your kit, so you don’t need any special pollination equipment.

Each kit includes enough fruit-tree pollen for about 2–3 typical backyard trees for approximately two bloom seasons, a soft application brush, and straightforward instructions showing when and how to apply the pollen.

You can order pollen anytime and keep it frozen until your tree is ready to bloom.

For the upcoming season, we recommend ordering several weeks in advance so the pollen you need is available and already in your freezer when the first blossoms open. Spring bloom can move quickly, and having it on hand helps you avoid missing a short bloom window.

Yes. You can mix and match available pollen varieties in the same order.

Start with one complete kit, then add additional pollen for $35 each, up to four per order.

Begin applying pollen when about 40% of the blossoms are open (about 4 flowers out of every 10), then apply again around 60% bloom. An optional third application can be made around 80% bloom.

Choose a dry period when temperatures are around 55°F or warmer. Slightly cooler conditions are fine if temperatures are warming, but pollen germinates and grows more slowly in cold weather. Apply to freshly opened, dry blossoms, and avoid applying during rain, fog, or while flowers are wet with heavy dew.

When you’re ready to use the pollen, leave it sealed while it warms slightly before opening to help prevent condensation. Consider taking only a small amount outside so the rest can remain frozen. After use, seal it tightly and return to the freezer.

Apply when the blossoms are dry and conditions are calm. Morning works well once any dew has dried, but the exact clock time matters less than having dry, freshly opened blossoms.

Avoid applying immediately before rain.

Each blossom only has a limited amount of time when pollination can lead to fruit. This is called the effective pollination period. Newly opened flowers are most receptive to pollen. As a flower ages, the stigma—the part that receives the pollen—begins to dry out and becomes less receptive.

If you wait until full bloom, some of the first flowers to open may already be past their best pollination window. Applying around 40% bloom and again around 60% bloom helps you reach fresh, receptive flowers as they open.

Yes. The included brush is the simplest and most pollen-efficient method for one or two backyard trees, but it isn't the only way supplemental pollen can be applied.

Commercial orchards use specialized blowers and dusters to distribute dry pollen through flowering trees. We're currently testing a scaled-down version of the same basic idea for home growers: a handheld powder duster that lets you gently puff a pollen mixture across blossom clusters instead of touching blossoms individually.

It should make application much faster for growers with several trees, although broadcast application will use more pollen than applying it directly with the brush.

We're testing the applicator, pollen-to-carrier ratio, and application method now. Once we're confident in the results, we'll make the method and instructions available for home growers.

Keep the pollen frozen and tightly sealed when you’re not using it. Keeping it cold and dry helps maintain its viability.

For easier storage, keep the pollen, brush, and instructions together in the bag they arrive in.

When you’re ready to apply the pollen, consider taking only a small amount outside so the rest can stay frozen. After use, seal it tightly and return it to the freezer.

Learn how to keep your pollen fresh in our Pollen Storage Guide →

Yes. After each use, seal it tightly and return to the freezer until you need it again. Keep the pollen dry and avoid leaving out longer than necessary.

See our Pollen Storage Guide for tips on refreezing and avoiding moisture.

When kept frozen and dry, pollen can stay viable for years.

For home use, we recommend storing any leftover pollen in the freezer and using it within the next few bloom seasons.

Learn what affects pollen viability and shelf life in our Pollen Storage Guide →

Fruit set can’t be guaranteed, but supplemental pollen can improve the chances of successful pollination when compatible pollen is limited. Weather, bloom timing, tree health, and other growing conditions also influence whether blossoms develop into fruit.

Flowers and bees don’t always guarantee good pollination. Weather, timing, low bee activity, or a lack of compatible pollen can all reduce fruit set.

That’s why many commercial growers use supplemental pollen as added insurance. Applying compatible pollen directly to open blossoms provides another source of pollen when natural pollination is limited.

Pollination is only one part of fruit production. Spring weather, frost, tree health, bloom timing, pollen compatibility, and pollinator activity can all influence how much fruit a tree ultimately sets.

Supplemental pollen improves one important part of that equation, but it can’t control the other conditions around bloom.

Our pollen is sourced from commercial orchards in California and Washington. After collection, it is carefully handled and stored to help maintain its quality and viability until it reaches you.

Pollen is collected from flower blossoms before they fully open. The blossoms are harvested, and the pollen-producing parts of the flower—the anthers—are separated and carefully dried. As the anthers dry, they release their pollen.

The pollen is then cleaned and stored frozen to help maintain its viability until it is ready to use.

It takes about 425 flowers to produce the 3 grams of pollen in a PollenPro kit.

Yes. Your pollen is packed with cold protection to help maintain viability during transit. If your gel pack arrives soft or liquid, place the pollen in your freezer when it arrives and keep frozen until you’re ready to use it.

We ship pollen early in the week to reduce the chance that an order sits in a carrier network over the weekend.

Orders placed later in the week may wait until the next shipping day so we can better protect pollen quality in transit.