Wind and Drought in Houston

[MikeInCypress]

I have been growing tomatoes here in the Houston Area since 1979. Since I relocated from the Galleria area to Cypress 12 years ago most of my plants are in containers. I don't believe I have ever seen the wind combined with the lack of rain that we are having this year. My plant out was in late Feb to March 10 and everything looked good. plants were setting fruit and growing. Then we got hit with the triple whammy of no rain, high winds and high temps which caused many of the fruit to develop BER and blossom drop. I work from home so the 3 times a day watering that is the norm for the plants in containers is feasible.

I hope we have a moderation in the weather soon or it will be "wait til next year."

MikeInCypress

[duajones]

Wind and lack of rain have had an effect on my plants as well. Average fruit per plant is probably down 8 to 10 compared to last year. Also seeing alot of blossom drop

[creister]

Too much wind here in Abilene. More than usual. Many days we have had 15-25 sustained with gusts over 30. Just brutal. I do wrap my cages with the grow cloth, which has helped.

[b54red]

We have been experiencing very high temps and terrible wind. I have been trying to spray my tomatoes for a couple of days but the winds are just too high. The younger plants which have not been mulched yet are suffering and some are even dying. I try to keep them watered but the wind just sucks the moisture out of the ground as fast as you put it in. We need some of our famous downpours about now to break this heat cycle and give the plants a respite. Of course that kind of rain will bring out the diseases full force.

[ArcherB]

We are having the same issues in Austin. I have never seen wind this persistent. It seems like very single day is windy and I have not seen any measurable rain since mid February.

My plants are hanging in there but there is obvious wind damage. The plants that were set out early under WOW's have set but fruit set seems few and far between among the rest of the plants.

I'm doing all I can to affect the weather. So far, that has meant washing my truck and following Rick Perry's advice; prayer!

[waterman1971]

Mike, a question if I may. What is the correlation between the high winds and the BER? I had the exact same thing happen to mine just yesterday when the winds shifted to the northeast. I am located down in Port Arthur, Tx.

[MikeInCypress]

Waterman .....The high winds cause the plants to require more water more often. Thus the growing medium dries out more often and this instability in the moisture of the growing medium is one of the causes of BER. At least thats how it was explained to me.

MikeInCypress

[waterman1971]

]Thank you very much for your answer.

In your opinion is it possible to mitigate the effects of the wind?

I was concerned with over watering my plants.

With the high winds, do you think twice per day is overdoing it?

If you have time would you mind posting some pics of your fruits. Please allow me to show an example of mine.[IMG][/IMG]

I apologize for highjacking your thread, but thank you again sir.

[feldon30]

Twice per day? Are you growing in very small containers?

That looks like Blossom End Rot caused by overwatering or uneven watering.