Competing signal peptides hold the key When a pollen grain lands on a receptive flower's pistil, a complex dance leading to sexual reproduction begins. Liu et al. show some of the early steps that help to distinguish a compatible pollen grain from a random piece of dust. Normally, a stigmatic gatekeeper, the ANJEA–FERONIA receptor kinase complex, perceives signaling peptides produced by the stigma that drive the production of reactive oxygen species at the stigma papillae. Upon pollination, POLLEN COAT PROTEIN B-class peptides compete with those stigmatic peptides for binding to the stigmatic receptor kinase complex. The subsequent decline of stigmatic reactive oxygen species production allows hydration and opens the gates to pollen germination. Science , this issue p. 171