the Truth about Tomato Blossom Drop

[DonDon]

I heard lots of things. To much water, then to little. Calcium, Iron, to many to list. Well, I went online today to several sites and here's what the general ideas are.

It's a result of plant stress or poor pollination.


Nutritional causes: Nitrogen plays a key role in blossom drop. Too much or too little nitrogen will result in the loss of flowers. I've received many letters from people asking about blossom drop and I usually find they are over-fertilizing. Unless one has sandy soils or they are trying to produce record breaking fruit, I see no need to fertilize every week (especially with the "blue stuff").
Enviromental causes:
Temperature - Excessive temperatures (low or high) will produce blossom drop by intefering with the pollination or fertilization process. Generally, day temperatures above 90F or night temperatures greater than 70-75F will interfer with fruit set resulting in the loss of flowers. Research has indicated that higher night temperatures have more of an influence.
High Humidity - can effect either the release of pollen from the anthers or the adherence of the pollen grains to the stigma.
Other potential sources of blossom drop: Excessive wind Stress related to insect damage - (usually thrips or aphids) Stress related to foliar disease Lack of adequete light Extended light exposures - (24 hour exposure to a light source)
Excessive pruning


I've been hitting mine HARD with Miricle Grow and they've been growing like crazy but that seems to be my biggest problem. TO MUCH of it. Here's it's chemical numbers 24-8-16 Nitrogen is the 24, potassium is the 8 and potash is the 16. I'm gonna cut back on hitting them as much nand see what happens

[Wannabe...]

I'd say you got much bigger problems than blossom end rot. But hey, ya gotta start somewhere getting you straightened out so get to it.

Wannabe...

[DonDon]

LOL, Least it's a start Bro

[Big C]

DD find out what causes the bottom of the mater to rot.That is my biggest problem.

[DonDon]

Found that last year. To wet, then to dry was the main cause.

[DonDon]

One other thing to check. Get a soil testing kit and Lowes or Home deport. Check the PH in the soil. Ya may need to add some Agricultural Lime to the soil to balance it out, Just put a coating on the ground right at your plant and then add mulch, it'll soak in. I actually add Manure compost on top of my plants

[DMW1960]

Oh no DD with a soil testing kit and an electrical testing kit! What is the boy going to come up with next?

[majflyboy]

Oh no DD with a soil testing kit and an electrical testing kit! What is the boy going to come up with next?

Good one Dan.

[DMW1960]

Coming from you Major that really means alot! Thank you sir!

[Big C]

DD have you tried the test kits.I put lime on the garden in January.I have not had any rotting,but the maters are still small.