No fruit in hot weather? No way around this?

10 years ago

Hello Everyone:

I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions are really elementary. I've searched the forums, but I wanted some answers about tomatoes that got a late start but are already tall enough to bear fruit if it weren't so hot.

I got a late start transplanting my tomatoes, but now they're almost 3 feet tall. They have a couple flowers on them each, but no fruit. The temperature in the 90s where I live, and it will mostly stay that way for the next month. Is there absolutely nothing I can do to get them to fruit? Or do I just have to wait until September? Will watering them more help? I have (amended) clay soil that holds water for a long time, so I don't have to water very often. I don't want to over water them though. Would a shade cloth help?

Also, when I put the cages on them just now I scraped one of the stems (It's not broken but it looks like it has a cut in it.) Is there anything I can do to help it heal?

This post was edited by MarilynShipley on Wed, Jul 24, 13 at 0:05

Comments (3)

MarilynShipley
Original Author
10 years ago
Another picture. Thanks so much guys!
digdirt2
10 years ago
There is a good FAQ here that explains all about Blossom Drop and the role of air temps, the effects they have on pollen and why fruit set is difficult if not impossible.

Late planting would have only contributed to the problem.

Fortunately you have a very long growing season so it is mostly a matter of keeping the plants alive and healthy until the weather breaks.

In some cases rigging some shade cloth over the plants to reduce the sun during the hottest part of the day may help. It is good for about 6-8 degrees difference and can allow some fruit set IF the night time temperatures will cooperate. If they remain high however there is little that can be done and we all just learn to live with it and plant out early to beat the heat.

Next year you'll have better luck with the much earlier planting times you all have.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Blossom Drop FAQ
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drew51 SE MI Z5b/6a
10 years ago
I listen to Don Shor's program out of Davis CA. The temps there in the spring and summer start at 85 and just go up. He mentions how certain tomatoes will not produce at all, and lists what works. You may want search his podcasts to find shows where he mentions what works in hot weather. Yes some tomatoes will produce in hot weather. You can use your computer to listen or any mp3 player.

Here is a link that might be useful: Davis Garden show

This post was edited by Drew51 on Tue, Jul 23, 13 at 8:47