This year I planted 50 Manitoba and Rutgers tomatoes. I raised these from seed. It is the first time that I have tried them. Problem is, there are lots of blossoms but they are falling off and not setting fruit. Never had this happen before with the Early Girl or Scotia that I usually planted. There are bees around and and I even hand pollinated them to see if that would help. It doesn't seem to!
Have daytime temperatures been above 90? If so, tomatoes won't set fruit. The pollen gets all sticky and won't disperse. Or, it could be blossom drop due to stress. Stress includes high humidity, nighttime temperatures at or below 55, too little water, or too much nitrogen. Does any of this sound likely? The good news is that it usually fixes itself with time. The blossoms set and hang on, the pollen disperses, and then you start wondering what to do with all those tomatoes!
To Waretrop.... I got these seeds from "My Patriot Supply" in the U.S. (didn't know if we could mention companys, if not, then someone can delete it) These are nonGMO seeds. Marlingardener... you probably are right about the stress. When I first set them into the ground we had nothing but heavy rains after I put them in and cool nights. They have been in flower for abut 2-3 weeks. The last few days we are into temps from mid 80's to low 90's. Nights are warmer. So now maybe they will get the boost they need. It is just that I always have had such great success with tomatoes that these ones were getting me really disappointed! If they keep on putting out flowers then I guess I can wait. Thanks for your help and encouragement. Christina
Mine frequently do that with first set of flowers and unstable temps. But not to worry,, they usually acclimate to whatever is going on and then,,get your basket ready. Rutgers is an old variety that used to be used by commercial growers so you think it would be a pretty dependable one. Just give it time. Wouldn`t hurt, if yours are close enough together, to give them a shake during the day after morning moisture has dried. Might help to spread the pollen.
Ok thanks,Mart, this is my first experience with Rutgers and Manitoba. I was worried that they might be duds. They are not close enough to shake them to help spread the pollen. They are about 3 feet apart. I have been going out the last few days with a small artist brush dabbing them. Thanks for the encouragement I really appreciate it. I will wait and watch! Christina
Hi Christina, I agree with all of the above, even though I live far away. Bees are not needed for tomato fruiting. I have tomatoes all year round on Gold Coast[Australia] but we have the dreaded fruitfly, so I bag all my fruit as soon as the flowers are holding. The fruit is much better quality, because there is no cross pollination of different types and of course no nasties.It is time consuming but I can guarantee to have good fruit. Sounds like you are doing everything right, the temperature is the main problem I am thinking. More flowers will come and there will be fruit...good luck.
Three feet is close enough for the pollen. Give them a shake anyway,, won`t hurt. I plant mine close enough to touch, and no cage or stake,, I just let them sprawl.
Well I just came in from staking up my tomato plants. The Rutgers are getting pretty high. The Manitoba ones must be determinate because they are rather bushy and not growing tall. Anyways, I have been shaking all of them and dabbing with a tiny brush. I now have little green babies! :-D Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. You are the best.
When temperature is high, pollen clumps and self pollinating tomato don't do their thing. hence why blossoms drop off. Shaking plants in the cool of the morning may help things along. Bees may buzz tomato, but they mostly can't get in to play cupid.
Well they finally appeared so here are a couple of pictures of my little green babies. They have lots of cousins now. :-D ( photo / image / picture from Chrisle's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Chrisle's Garden )
