Fruit development as a function of plant height

RainCoast Farms · June 28, 2011

For the past three years I have had a greenhouse with 35 different varieties of tomatoes growing. Plants are doing super well; no disease, are pruned regularly, fertilized weekly, etc. I have noticed that as the plants get taller the number of blossoms increase but the fruit set decreases. I do not understand what is going on? Why are the blossoms failing to produce fruit. Yes, I do shake the plants to stimulate polination, I have three fans providing good air movement and even temperature distribution. My yield of fruit is higher at the lower parts of the plants. Suggestions? Thanks, Dick

**nctomatoman** · June 28, 2011

I note this as well (no greenhouse, but I grow over 100 varieties each year outdoors) - wonder if the plant just has some sort of genetic knowledge/preference of numbers of developing fruit the plant can support, so once that is reached, flowers start aborting? Just wild speculation.......

....or is it?!

June 28, 2011	#1
RainCoast Farms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Port Townsend, Wa. Posts: 11	Fruit development as a function of plant height For the past three years I have had a greenhouse with 35 different varieties of tomatoes growing. Plants are doing super well; no disease, are pruned regularly, fertilized weekly, etc. I have noticed that as the plants get taller the number of blossoms increase but the fruit set decreases. I do not understand what is going on? Why are the blossoms failing to produce fruit. Yes, I do shake the plants to stimulate polination, I have three fans providing good air movement and even temperature distribution. My yield of fruit is higher at the lower parts of the plants. Suggestions? Thanks, Dick

June 28, 2011	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	I note this as well (no greenhouse, but I grow over 100 varieties each year outdoors) - wonder if the plant just has some sort of genetic knowledge/preference of numbers of developing fruit the plant can support, so once that is reached, flowers start aborting? Just wild speculation....... ....or is it?! __________________ Craig