Pollination Requirements of the American Cranberry

Hand pollinations of cranberry flowers were done in the field during 1990 and 1991 in Massachusetts. Within the culti-vars Early Black and Howes, neither berry size nor fruit set differed whether the pollen came from the flower itself or from other flowers of the same cultivar. Even though cross pollination of ‘Howes’ with ‘Early Black’ pollen resulted in a greater number of fully developed seeds compared to self-pollination, fruit size and set were not affected. There were few differences in berries resulting from open and hand pollination. When pollinators were excluded, few berries were produced. Pollen release by mechanical action resulted in similar fruit set, berry weight and number of good seeds, larger diameter berries and a greater number of total seeds than no pollination.