Blossom drop - after the latest heat wave :(

NarnianGarden · July 6, 2013

My beloved plants are pushing lots of lovely flowers, but many of them just drop off. The 'joint' seems to snap, instead of growing strong enough to support the new life. I tried apple juice, as shown in some YouTube gardening videos, but no effect.

Some of these 'drop-outs' even include tiny tomatoes... so at least the pollination was succesful.

Today I tested a new foliar spray that is supposed to help the plant to get the nutrients back. It seems there is a severe phosphorus deficiency (that happened in the June heat wave too... and the leaves turned happy green again after the weather cooled) and it might affect the blossoms.

Sad - here I am rejoicing over my giant tomatoes

But the heat is too much for them. Praying for strength, resilience (for the tomatoes and the gardener) and cooler weather...

Father'sDaughter · July 6, 2013

Mine have been doing the same lately. Although they almost all managed to set a fair amount of fruit when we had a period of good weather between two rainy weeks and our current heat wave. Most of the plants just have stubs where there used to be a flower truss. The dwarfs in grow bags are suffering the most.

My husband finally had time to fix a few issues with our irrigation system today, so at least the garden (and the lawn) will start getting watered more regularly. I've been hand watering for the past week and I know with our high temps it hasn't been enough.

Hopefully your weather will get better soon.

Mojave · July 6, 2013

I feel your pain. We just came out of an 8 day heat wave with temperatures over 100F (37.8C) every day. It got up to 106 (41.1C) at the peak. My plants get broken/filtered sun most of the day and I think that helped pull them through without any burnt tips or fruit. I purposely chose varieties that supposedly do well in the heat (Black Krim, German Johnson, Traveler) but I don't think any flowers could have pollinated in those temperatures.

Good luck and let's hope for more moderate weather.

NarnianGarden · July 6, 2013

Thanks guys - mine are Black Krim, and otherwise very strong - but the heat has caused some unnecessary stress. (Who would have thought that Finnish summer weather can be too hot for tomatoes?)

Some plants were left to grow at my parents' home, and they're faring better. Less direct sunscorch and more shade.

At least my pepper plant is happy with the heat - forming little bell peppers and pushing more blooms, hurrah!

RobinB · July 6, 2013

We experienced the same heat wave that the Bay area did, with the added fun of severe thunderstorms. Each afternoon somewhere there were high winds, hail, driving rain, flooding, and lightning (that started at least 3 wildfires). We were very lucky and didn't experience any hail or fires that were too near us. A friend, less than a mile away, lost his garden to a severe cell that came through about a week ago packing 60MPH winds and 1 inch hail.

Today was only 91... aaaaaah.

So, not only did the heat get my blossoms, but the driving rain and high winds took a toll. I have some shredded leaves too, but that has happened before and it's not going to hurt the plants permanently. A few varieties just kept chugging along and actually set fruit in the heat (some Russian varieties, go figure) but I have some plants that have yet to produce a fruit... the blossoms continue to fall off. Maybe some fish/kelp sprayed on would help? Can't hurt.

July 6, 2013	#1
NarnianGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Finland, EU Posts: 2,550	Blossom drop - after the latest heat wave :( My beloved plants are pushing lots of lovely flowers, but many of them just drop off. The 'joint' seems to snap, instead of growing strong enough to support the new life. I tried apple juice, as shown in some YouTube gardening videos, but no effect. Some of these 'drop-outs' even include tiny tomatoes... so at least the pollination was succesful. Today I tested a new foliar spray that is supposed to help the plant to get the nutrients back. It seems there is a severe phosphorus deficiency (that happened in the June heat wave too... and the leaves turned happy green again after the weather cooled) and it might affect the blossoms. Sad - here I am rejoicing over my giant tomatoes But the heat is too much for them. Praying for strength, resilience (for the tomatoes and the gardener) and cooler weather...

July 6, 2013	#3
Mojave Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SF Bay area Z9a Posts: 821	I feel your pain. We just came out of an 8 day heat wave with temperatures over 100F (37.8C) every day. It got up to 106 (41.1C) at the peak. My plants get broken/filtered sun most of the day and I think that helped pull them through without any burnt tips or fruit. I purposely chose varieties that supposedly do well in the heat (Black Krim, German Johnson, Traveler) but I don't think any flowers could have pollinated in those temperatures. Good luck and let's hope for more moderate weather. __________________ Bill _______________________________________________ When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. -John Muir Believe those who seek the Truth: Doubt those who find it. -André Gide

July 6, 2013	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	Mine have been doing the same lately. Although they almost all managed to set a fair amount of fruit when we had a period of good weather between two rainy weeks and our current heat wave. Most of the plants just have stubs where there used to be a flower truss. The dwarfs in grow bags are suffering the most. My husband finally had time to fix a few issues with our irrigation system today, so at least the garden (and the lawn) will start getting watered more regularly. I've been hand watering for the past week and I know with our high temps it hasn't been enough. Hopefully your weather will get better soon.

July 6, 2013	#5
RobinB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Near Reno, NV Posts: 1,621	We experienced the same heat wave that the Bay area did, with the added fun of severe thunderstorms. Each afternoon somewhere there were high winds, hail, driving rain, flooding, and lightning (that started at least 3 wildfires). We were very lucky and didn't experience any hail or fires that were too near us. A friend, less than a mile away, lost his garden to a severe cell that came through about a week ago packing 60MPH winds and 1 inch hail. Today was only 91... aaaaaah. So, not only did the heat get my blossoms, but the driving rain and high winds took a toll. I have some shredded leaves too, but that has happened before and it's not going to hurt the plants permanently. A few varieties just kept chugging along and actually set fruit in the heat (some Russian varieties, go figure) but I have some plants that have yet to produce a fruit... the blossoms continue to fall off. Maybe some fish/kelp sprayed on would help? Can't hurt.