Pollination Problems

Kahlua · July 9, 2012

I'm pretty new to growing tomatoes, but am having pretty good success so far in my first year. I've got 3 plants growing right now, one in a 5 gallon bucket, and two in an 18 gallon earthtainerthingybobber. The ones in the 18 gallon box are growing great, setting lots of flowers, but they aren't setting much fruit.

The fruits that have set look great, they're growing big and plump and I can't wait to pull them off and chow down. But I'm just not seeing much fruit set and it's a little disheartening

.

We've had some pretty bad heat lately and it seems like the wasps are the only ones left, so if there are any bees/butterflies/other pollinators, they're getting killed by the wasps.

So i'm hoping someone can help me figure out how to pollinate these bad boys so I can get more fruit and have more awesome tomatoes! I've been shaking and flicking for the last week and haven't seen any real progress from those methods, maybe there's something a bit more uh... potent? that I can do?

Anyway, I appreciate any help that can be given.

TightenUp · July 9, 2012

get out the electric toothbrush. i did this on my container plants and fruit set was awesome. there was a thread a couple weeks ago with lots of info on the toothbrush method along with links to youtube videos.

July 9, 2012	#1
Kahlua Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 7	Pollination Problems I'm pretty new to growing tomatoes, but am having pretty good success so far in my first year. I've got 3 plants growing right now, one in a 5 gallon bucket, and two in an 18 gallon earthtainerthingybobber. The ones in the 18 gallon box are growing great, setting lots of flowers, but they aren't setting much fruit. The fruits that have set look great, they're growing big and plump and I can't wait to pull them off and chow down. But I'm just not seeing much fruit set and it's a little disheartening . We've had some pretty bad heat lately and it seems like the wasps are the only ones left, so if there are any bees/butterflies/other pollinators, they're getting killed by the wasps. So i'm hoping someone can help me figure out how to pollinate these bad boys so I can get more fruit and have more awesome tomatoes! I've been shaking and flicking for the last week and haven't seen any real progress from those methods, maybe there's something a bit more uh... potent? that I can do? Anyway, I appreciate any help that can be given.

July 9, 2012	#2
TightenUp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 1,183	get out the electric toothbrush. i did this on my container plants and fruit set was awesome. there was a thread a couple weeks ago with lots of info on the toothbrush method along with links to youtube videos.