The 90 degree myth

ronsmith100 · July 16, 2011

Over the last two years I have run across many tomato gardeners who have said, "you cannot set fruit when it's over 90"... and right behind them someone says "oh yes you can".
Lump me into OYYC group. We're over 5000 ft elevation and have been over 90 every day for more than a month and the 'matoes are still setting.

But this got me to thinking about climate and things and I was wondering if maybe those people who are not successful in hot temps maybe live in a higher humidity.
Could it be that the humid hot air makes pollination more difficult?

For example it is hot today (heading to 90 plus) but humidity is very low.. could it be that in high humidity the pollen sticks to the thick air on micro droplets and is carried away?

Just curious

Anyway I have a 20% uV net over them because the radiant heat of the sun through our thin atmosphere can burn them badly. But so far heat hasn't slowed anything.

July 16, 2011	#1
ronsmith100 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Southern Utah Posts: 26	The 90 degree myth Over the last two years I have run across many tomato gardeners who have said, "you cannot set fruit when it's over 90"... and right behind them someone says "oh yes you can". Lump me into OYYC group. We're over 5000 ft elevation and have been over 90 every day for more than a month and the 'matoes are still setting. But this got me to thinking about climate and things and I was wondering if maybe those people who are not successful in hot temps maybe live in a higher humidity. Could it be that the humid hot air makes pollination more difficult? For example it is hot today (heading to 90 plus) but humidity is very low.. could it be that in high humidity the pollen sticks to the thick air on micro droplets and is carried away? Just curious Anyway I have a 20% uV net over them because the radiant heat of the sun through our thin atmosphere can burn them badly. But so far heat hasn't slowed anything.