Discussion forum for the various methods and structures used for getting an early start on your growing season, extending it for several weeks or even year 'round.
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April 18, 2012 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: eastview, tn
Posts: 28
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hoop house tomatoes set blooms but no fruit yet
i started Rutgers and Brandywine from seeds indoors, the planted into my nominally heated hoop house in feb. i transplanted half into my garden in mid march ( i live in south west tenn.) the tomatoes in the hoop house are 2 or 3 times bigger than the ones i transplanted out into the garden; and absolutely loaded with blooms. Yet my first green tomato showed today 4/18/12 on one of the much smaller plants in the garden.
any ideas on what gives? thanks for any input. i'm new to the forum and love all the experience and insight! |
April 18, 2012 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5
Posts: 931
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Were you shaking the tomatoes in the hoophouse, either manually or with a fan?
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April 18, 2012 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: eastview, tn
Posts: 28
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Janezee...great question, get's to pollination. I have not shaken (or stirred) either the hoop house siblings or those in the field. I have had a fan running in the hoop house 24/7.
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April 18, 2012 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 587
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Either generate some breeze or input some bees. Hey, that rhymed, lol.
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April 19, 2012 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5
Posts: 931
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Sounds like you need pollination. You could use an electric toothbrush, or just shake each bush every day. Those guys need some action!!!!!
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April 19, 2012 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: eastview, tn
Posts: 28
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i agree it sounds like a pollination issue....one more "yeah but" and i'll go shake the suckers; it has been such an early spring and so warm that i have had the sides rolled up on the hoop house and the plants have been cosseted by the wind just like those in the field.
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April 19, 2012 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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I only have 7 plants in the greenhouse but I give all the open blossoms the Sonicare treatment at least once a day and have had every blossom set a fruit so far.
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April 19, 2012 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: eastview, tn
Posts: 28
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what exactly do you do with the electric toothbrush?
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April 19, 2012 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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If you google "brush pollination with electric toothbrush" you'll see various methods used. The Sonicare that I have is used without the brush. I just touch the metal piece that vibrates to the flower stem when it's opened enough and look for the pollen to come out in a stream.
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April 19, 2012 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,255
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sfulwood,
Also, however you choose to vibrate the trusses I would do it around noon, when the humidity is the lowest. Steve |
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