So, what is my problem?

19 years ago

Hello All,

First of all, thanks to all of you who post here and share so much valuable information. I am growing my first six tomato plants this year, with mixed success. I have three hierlooms and three "regulars." The plants look great, healthy and green (other than the lowest leaves, which are kind of yellow. I have now read enough to know that next year I should prune off the first foot or so of leaves. Is it too late to do that now?) Here's my problem: I have tons of clusters of blossoms, but in each cluster, only about two blossoms (or fewer!) actually end up setting fruit. The other blossoms turn dry and brown and that's that. The tomatoes that are growing look good, although none have yet started to turn color, including the Early Girl. When I prepared the soil, I used "Tomato-Tone," composted cow manure and bags of planting soil from the nursery (not potting mix) and I don't water heavily, just a little every other day, followed by the occasional deep soaking. The toms are hooked up to a drip system and are caged and also protected from birds and deer by a frame covered with bird netting. I also mulched the whole bed, using wood mulch like I put in flower beds. I did not let it lie up against the plant's stem.I have bought Miracle Gro for tomatoes, but am afraid to put anything on them. Advice?? Please????

Thanks,

Jo

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Comments (4)

kendra2003
19 years ago
You can certainly trim off any yellowing leaves now. To get more fruit to set, tap the flowers. If you look closely while giving them a tap, you should be able to see some pollen floating down. I give all my flowers little taps every time I'm out in the garden, and I have more fruit than you can shake a stick at.
jomama49
Original Author
19 years ago
Thank you, Kendra! I will have to try that!
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triple_b
19 years ago
THAT is what I have been forgetting to do. One of my plants has plenty of blossoms but I keep peering at them looking for fruit set. I guess they just need a good shake. It has been very hot and still lately.
Thanks again.
Gotta beat on my tomato plants tomorrow...
sunsi
19 years ago
jomama49 Quote:
"I have now read enough to know that next year I should prune off the first foot or so of leaves. Is it too late to do that now?"

No, I don't think it's too late and kendra2's advise to "tap" the flowers is a very good idea although I tap the stem near the flowers. When you tap the stem use the same motion as an electric tooth brush infact I read somewhere that someone used an old electric toothbrush for this purpose (umm, maybe check for noisy neighbors first, lol)

"The plants look great, healthy and green (other than the lowest leaves, which are kind of yellow."

Another thing you want to keep in mind if you choose to do any pruning I take a bowl if hot soapy water out with me and dip the cutting blades in this between plants and wipe them dry with a paper towel so that any disease is not spread from plant to plant. You would do the same with your hands after touching these yellow leaves on your plants.

Wishing you best of luck and many tomatoes. :)