Indoor Tomato Problem...

Sleepy

Active member

Veteran

• Jan 31, 2010

• #1

hi, i am growing 3 tomato plants inside the spare bedroom...

they are growing very well with one exception...

every time a cluster of flowers forms, the flowers fall off.

is it too cold? temp is like 64 degrees...

in soilless mix...no bugs anywhere.

facing due south...getting enough sun to grow four feet tall...

all foliage is lush and green...

i was told they need a P & K boost, so i have been giving 1/4 tsp per gallon of blossom blaster (0-39-25) about every third watering or so...

i have 3 plants and they are all behaving this way...

any guidance would be appreciated.

thanks!!

 

1

1G12

Active member

• Jan 31, 2010

• #2

I have to profess complete ignorance of growing tomatoes indoors but, do the flowers need bees to pollinate them in order to get fruit to develop?

 

ehonda187

Active member

• Jan 31, 2010

• #3

What you are referring to is called Blossom Drop sleepy.....It is common...Since they are grown inside are you helping along with the Pollination? This is one reason why blossom drop occurs when growing indoors. Unpollinated blossoms will fall off if left by themselves. Might have to get out the paintbrush my friend.

 

Sleepy

Active member

Veteran

• Jan 31, 2010

• #4

hmmm...interesting...

do i go from flower to flower to do this?

no, i have not 'helped' at all...i just figured i would have some tomatoes by now...

 

TexasToker

Member

• Jan 31, 2010

• #5

Temperatures and Nitrogen are probably the two biggest reasons a 'mater will drop flowers. Lack of pollination also can be the cause, but not always. I think 65ish should be ok for them and would rule temp out.

And as far as pollinating, you are correct, flower to flower. You can just shake the plants a little and it should get enough pollen in the air, if that does not work, start with the brushes.

As far as Nitrogen, too much or too little can cause flower/blossom drops.

*oh ya, you can't do a 24/0 light regime with 'maters. They do need sleep.

Got this from gardensweb

"Blossom-Drop" is a condition suffered by tomatoes, peppers, snap beans, and some other fruiting vegetables where the plant blooms but fails to set fruit, the blooms die and fall off. It may be caused by the use of excess nitrogen fertilizers or dry windy conditions, but the most common cause is temperature extremes. Tomatoes,
peppers and beans are especially picky about the air temps when it comes time to set fruit. If the night temps fall below 55 or rise above 75 or if the day temps are above 90, the pollen becomes tacky and non-viable. Pollination cannot occur. If the bloom isn't pollinated, the bloom dies and falls off.


Control: Water the plants deeply once a week, mulch heavily to maintain constant soil moisture levels, establish windbreaks as needed, avoid using excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizers, and wait for temperatures to moderate and stabilize. Earlier timed planting can help attain fruit set prior to the on-set of high temps, and the use of protection can compensate for cool nights. Some recommend attempting hand-pollination with an artist brush or a gentle shaking of the plant/cage/support prior to the hottest part of the day will also help. Fruit set will resume when temperatures moderate. Hormone sprays, such as "Blossom Set", may prevent some blossom drop due to LOW temperatures. However, the resulting fruit are often misshapen. But studies prove that hormone sprays do not prevent blossom drop due to HIGH temperatures.
​

 

ehonda187

Active member

• Jan 31, 2010

• #6

Since the flowers have both male and female parts to do the deed, all you are doing is knocking the pollen around inside the flower to assist in pollination...Like a bee. Just go flower to flower with a paint brush and alternate between the plants. Easy as pie.

 

Sleepy

Active member

Veteran

• Jan 31, 2010

• #7

excellent!!!

thank you all soooo much!!!

they are getting only natural light...so everything else should be fine!!

thank again!!!