Tomato Stems Falling Off! What's Wrong?

I need help with this one....i'm loosing babies too soon!!! What could be reason why I'm loosing them at the stem like this..the first is how it looks the day before...the second is how it completely comes off!! They are Black Krim Tomatoes...my first ever!!!


Look on the left...about to fall off!! ( photo / image / picture from hummerbum's Garden )






And it's off the next day!! ( photo / image / picture from hummerbum's Garden )

 

Nothing is eating them...completely stumped!!!

 

Honestly, I don't think it is anything to worry too much about, other than the anticipation of the tomato. This happens sometimes due to stress of heat (most often) or stress from drought... they shed the fruit to conserve their need for water. Don't over stress the loss. I loved my BK last year and had plenty of them even though it was cold and wet for the Summer.

 

So do I water even more...I live in savannah ga..and its humid here at this point..

 

That may be the problem,,over watering. That can make them so tender that they cant support the fruit. How much are you watering and what are they growing in ? Compost, potting soil or what? In the meantime, lay the plant on its side if its in a pot, if its in the ground take the supports off and let it sprawl. You can also support the fruit with leaves, grass or anything that you have.

 

I can't tell you how much to water. It is a learning curve, but underwatering is better than overwatering. Are you growing in pots or in the ground? It is hard to overwater in pots as opposed to the ground, but I don't have the same weather as you and you'll just have to "wing it". If you are using pots, don't forget to fertilize, too. That could also be a factor in the fruit dropping.

 

thanks Carolyn and Mart...they are in a huge pot and I gave them food last week..may be that's the problem..drainage is excellent...i noticed today that the mater that is on there is having a bit of rot on the bottom...NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

The rot happens when watering is uneven... too little, too much, not being watered consistently. Mostly too little. Add a couple teaspoons of epsoms salt to a gallon of water and water with it, too or just sprinkle it around the stem and mix it in a little. as you water it will dissolve.

Pick off the bad tomato. there is no reason to leave it as it takes extra energy to grow it to pick off and throw away later. Let it work on new buds.

How much "food" are you giving it? tomatoes are heavy feeders and I feed mine several times a week. Also, use vegetable fertilizer. The N-P-K ratios....the P and the K are what supports the bloom and makes roots for the plant to support the growth of the fruit and foliage. Make sure the N (nitrogen) is a lower number. too much N and you will have a beautiful plant, but no fruit.

 

Ok that makes sooo much sense....well I'll cry while picking the first one off but for the better...i will put the epson salt around them....i water pretty evenly so I'll keep it up..heck i even put bottles of water in the soil just in case it really gets bad...but I will do what you said!!!

Thank you!

 

Tomatoes need to dry out some between waterings. They do not like too much water. The Epsom salts will stop the blossom end rot and will help stop the flower stem breaking.

 

Thanks again, Carolyn and Mart!!

 

Good information here. We're growing the Black Krim for the first time and it's in a huge tub. So far all blossoms and the one green tomato are intact. The rest of the 25 plants are in the ground. I needed the Epsom salt reminder, so thanks.

Hummerbum, I hope your Black Krim grows lots of delicious tomatoes. I was told they're very good.

 

As I checked the Black Krim tomato plant today, I think I saw a dead blossom. It was so dry, it's impossible to tell for sure. I'm so hoping it's just one and no more will die off.

 

Growingpains, I now have two 7 foot Black Krim plants and they are blooming profusely but then drying up. The one that I mentioned earlier did not have bottom end rot...yippee!!! But I did go out and give them epsom salt as suggested and they are still drying up...beautiful blossoms though...

The romas are doing just great!!!




Black Krim ( photo / image / picture from hummerbum's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from hummerbum's Garden )

 

Hummerbum, since I posted, our Black Krim has put out a profusion of tomatoes. None ripe, but they look good. I broke off a branch and stuck it in the ground. It too is growing and I hope for blossoms soon.

I hope you plant soon puts out fruit.