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Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I have eight Better Boy tomato plants. All are about 4' tall now, very full and plant looks healthy. The problem is pretty much all the blooms have begun to wither and fall off. I've never had this happen before. Any ideas on what is causing this and what I can do to correct it?

6/17/2008 9:30:17 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

What is your weather like? I have a hard time setting fruit on my tomatoes do to high daytime temps. Pollen is sterile when temps are to high or to low. When the flowers are not polinated they fall off. I don't have anything set yet. I have about 25 plants that are plenty big enough to set fruit.

See http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/expert/Pollinate_Tomato_Pumpkin.html

6/18/2008 12:25:02 AM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

This site also gives polination advice for tomatoes.

http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/vege016/vege016.htm

6/18/2008 12:57:34 AM

porterville, calif.

How cool are you nights been? If too cool they won,t set .Ive have always had good luck with Better Boys. One of the best you can grow here.When every thing else has failed Better boys have produced for me every time. They will set once the weather settles down a little. Have you been getting the rain there like alot of the other places have been? That could be the problem too. I wish we had some here been very dry this year. Hope it turns around for you. Greg

6/18/2008 1:33:41 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Greg, day temps averaging in the low 90's, night averages in upper 60's. What I have always called "perfect tomato weather". Rain has been almost none here for the last 3 weeks. I've been watering the plants every other day. I was wondering about a possible soil deficiency but I have never had this problem in this planting location before. I also have cherry tomatos and cucumbers in this patch and both are producing.

6/18/2008 1:50:01 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Calcium....

6/18/2008 1:47:09 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

Sounds like we have simular weather yet no tomatoes setting. It is this way every year for me. I think it is to warm. My soil is fertile. The desert has lots of nutrents just no rain. I added gypsum (Calcium) when I added compost at planting time. I have also used a dilute folar sprays of calcium nitrate, fish, seaweed and a bloosom booster at least one time on all plants.

Hi: 88°Sunny. Highs 86 to 96. Winds west 15 mph.Lo: 63°Clear. Lows 57 to 67. Winds west 15 mph.
Thursday
6/19/2008 Hi: 86°Sunny. Highs 85 to 95. Winds northwest 15 mph in the morning becoming light.Lo: 64°Clear. Lows 55 to 65. Winds west 15 mph.
Friday
6/20/2008 Hi: 87°Sunny. Highs 85 to 95. Light winds.Lo: 64°Clear. Lows 55 to 65.Saturday
6/21/2008 Hi: 86°Mostly sunny. Highs 83 to 93.Lo: 64°Mostly clear. Lows 55 to 65.

6/18/2008 2:38:36 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

I wonder if it is my humidity? My humidity is 14% today. Many days are even 9% or less. What do you think? I try to plant early and do not get fruit set until late in the year. Every year since I have lived here.

From http://www.farm-garden.com/backyardgardener/causes_of_poor_tomato_fruit_set

Temperature and Humidity
Daytime temperatures above 90°F and night temperatures above 70°F will reduce the number of tomato flowers and fruit set. There is considerable evidence that night temperature is the critical factor in setting tomato fruit, the optimal range being 59-68°F. With night temperatures much below or above this critical range, fruiting of the tomato plant is reduced or absent. Low temperatures reduce the production and viability of pollen. High temperature, especially if accompanied by low humidity and moisture, hinders tomato fruit set through failure in pollination and/or fertilization.

6/18/2008 3:14:40 PM

porterville, calif.

Do you have any bees coming around? Any type of bee like bummble bees or carpetner bees etc. This might sound crazy but go out and shake your plants. This will help them pollenate better. It can be a hassle if you have alot of plants.Sevin used around the garden is deadly to bees. The temps has alot to do will them setting. With Better boys I have never had that problem.
Are you sure they are Better Boys. If you have BeefSteak.Or anything with Beefsteak in the name they won,t set. They don,t set very good here at all because of high nite temps. I,ll look some more and see what else can cause your problems. Greg

6/18/2008 11:15:16 PM