High Heat Index and Timing of Fertilizing

Farmette · July 20, 2016

High Heat Index (very hot and humid) of over 100 expected in our area Thurs and Friday. I am anticipating alot of blossom drop, so I was thinking it would be a good idea to give my tomatoes some Texas Tomato Food to encourage blossoming after the wave. For sure, I will keep them hydrated, but the question is: Is it better to feed them now or wait til after the wave has passed? Or maybe timing doesn't matter...

My Foot Smells · July 20, 2016

Just kidding. Often times it has more to do with the morning lows than daytime highs, imo. How long the heat wave is expected to last. What kind of growing medium and circumstances you have. etc.., etc....

My low last night was 82, it has been 100 +/- for weeks. H 100, L 80, w/ a 20% chance of an afternoon t-shower. I am in the southern summer bubble, which might last until September (hopefully not).

So, in my case, it is just a matter of survival at this point. Personally, I don't fertilize during such a spell, just ride out the storm. I can't see Whiskey having similar heat marathon, so I would just stick to your regular schedule. You will likely have some relief and might have no ill affect if night time lows are <75. It might be a good thing, as tomatoes do like the heat and a good Wisconsin heater might give good spurt.

Soil temperature plays a huge part as well. Daytime high for short period of time might be the least factor to consider.

IMO

Farmette · July 20, 2016

Aha...you do have my sympathy!! That's why I live up here. Now, come December and January, I hope to have your sympathy!

Seriously, I forgot to check the night time temps. And now I did and they should be in the low 70's, so I should be all right. And I am looking forward to any positive result from the heat burst. I'm hoping my sweet potatoes benefit from the heat too.

Thanks for the response and reassurance.

My Foot Smells · July 20, 2016

Lots more ppl on here with much more experience than me, so hopefully others will chime in.

I spent a week in Heyward over Christmas/New Year holiday after going to a wedding in Rochester, Minn. It was less than zero, but of course I brought my "cold weather gear," which provided lots of laughs.

"You going duck hunting?" LOL

Every person in the south only has one color of cold weather gear, and that's camoflauge. They had bright matching parkas and catalog décor, and there I was looking like Elmer Fudd. We did have fun riding the snow mobile around to local bars, and absolutely wonderful people and good times.

Salsacharley · July 20, 2016

I don't know how many plants you have, but manual pollinating might help get some fruit to set if you do it early in the morning.

Regarding TTF, it has been my experience that I can get flowering very very soon after fertilizing with it, but having to wait from flowering to harvesting fruit is no fun.

One more thing, I'm using shade cloth which drops the temps about 10 degrees and that has helped me keep some blossoms even in the 100+ degree heat.

b54red · July 20, 2016

According to Weather Underground we got to 107.2 yesterday in my area. That is definitely hot; but despite that intense heat I saw a few new fruit set that must have happened last night. We haven't seen many nights below 80 for a while and most days are near 100 or above with heat indexes off the chart. Despite that I am still getting fruit set especially with my newer plants. I fertilized with TTF a few days ago and this morning even though the ground was still moist under the mulch I gave everything a nice watering. A little extra water during these super hot times is much better than a little too little because if the plants are just a bit too dry blooms will drop off wholesale in these conditions. You just don't get much fruit set when you don't have blooms.

If those plants are due some TTF then go right ahead and make sure to give them a little extra water while you are at it. In your climate the plants may not be as accustomed to the extreme heat as they are down here and may not have the extensive root system needed to suck up enough moisture when the heat hits hard. Down here the worst time for blossom drop is frequently those first few days when the temperature jumps from the mid 80s to the mid 90s or above. After that it is just a mater of supplying them adequate water and keeping them well mulched and sprayed.

Bill

Farmette · July 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

Lots more ppl on here with much more experience than me, so hopefully others will chime in.

I spent a week in Heyward over Christmas/New Year holiday after going to a wedding in Rochester, Minn. It was less than zero, but of course I brought my "cold weather gear," which provided lots of laughs.

"You going duck hunting?" LOL

Every person in the south only has one color of cold weather gear, and that's camoflauge. They had bright matching parkas and catalog décor, and there I was looking like Elmer Fudd. We did have fun riding the snow mobile around to local bars, and absolutely wonderful people and good times.

I am originally from the Chicago area, but went to school in WI. My first few yrs after college, I lived in northern WI. Winters were very interesting, lots of snow...thank heavens someone came and plowed out our 1/4 mile road into our house. Drifts waist high...winter was a fun time for those of us who can appreciate it. Snowmobiling, broom hockey and as you said, alot of good times. I'm glad you got to experience and appreciate your time in Hayward. Up North is a very special place.

Farmette · July 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

I don't know how many plants you have, but manual pollinating might help get some fruit to set if you do it early in the morning.

Regarding TTF, it has been my experience that I can get flowering very very soon after fertilizing with it, but having to wait from flowering to harvesting fruit is no fun.

One more thing, I'm using shade cloth which drops the temps about 10 degrees and that has helped me keep some blossoms even in the 100+ degree heat.

45 plants, 45 varieties. Going this morning to fertilize, water and add some straw mulch. Glad this is only going to last a couple of days. And very happy to hear that you notice flowering very soon after TTF. Because this garden is at my daughter's property and perhaps because there are so many plants, I haven't really been able to notice the quick response to TTF.

Farmette · July 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

According to Weather Underground we got to 107.2 yesterday in my area. That is definitely hot; but despite that intense heat I saw a few new fruit set that must have happened last night. We haven't seen many nights below 80 for a while and most days are near 100 or above with heat indexes off the chart. Despite that I am still getting fruit set especially with my newer plants. I fertilized with TTF a few days ago and this morning even though the ground was still moist under the mulch I gave everything a nice watering. A little extra water during these super hot times is much better than a little too little because if the plants are just a bit too dry blooms will drop off wholesale in these conditions. You just don't get much fruit set when you don't have blooms.

If those plants are due some TTF then go right ahead and make sure to give them a little extra water while you are at it. In your climate the plants may not be as accustomed to the extreme heat as they are down here and may not have the extensive root system needed to suck up enough moisture when the heat hits hard. Down here the worst time for blossom drop is frequently those first few days when the temperature jumps from the mid 80s to the mid 90s or above. After that it is just a mater of supplying them adequate water and keeping them well mulched and sprayed.

Bill

Bill, the plants are due some TTF and your point about keeping the plants watered is well taken; I am going to take care of that this morning yet and put some mulch down too. We have a drip system so we will be able to keep up with the watering just fine. We also have one Dramm syphonjet, but haven't been able to get it to work with our drip. It'd be great to be able to use that for the TTF.

MissS · July 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmette

High Heat Index (very hot and humid) of over 100 expected in our area Thurs and Friday. I am anticipating alot of blossom drop, so I was thinking it would be a good idea to give my tomatoes some Texas Tomato Food to encourage blossoming after the wave. For sure, I will keep them hydrated, but the question is: Is it better to feed them now or wait til after the wave has passed? Or maybe timing doesn't matter...

That is a great question and one that I too was debating about last night. Thanks for asking it.

Farmette · July 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissS

That is a great question and one that I too was debating about last night. Thanks for asking it.

No problem! I'm glad we've got some members on here that deal with this kind of heat on a regular basis. So, thanks for everyone's input; I appreciate it. Tomatoes are watered and fertilized. Just being out there in that heat (and today wasn't really hot) can sap so energy quickly.

imp · July 20, 2016

When the heat is up, best to make any garden chores to be very very early or late. It is hard on both the plants and you to be working out there when the heat is at 100.

b54red · July 21, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by imp

When the heat is up, best to make any garden chores to be very very early or late. It is hard on both the plants and you to be working out there when the heat is at 100.

I would have to go out around midnight to beat the heat late. Mornings are usually the only time that it is feasible for an old man to get out in this weather. Even most mornings are too hot before I can get much done now. A nice shower in the early afternoon would sure be welcome.

Bill

WilburMartin · July 21, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

I would have to go out around midnight to beat the heat late. Mornings are usually the only time that it is feasible for an old man to get out in this weather. Even most mornings are too hot before I can get much done now. A nice shower in the early afternoon would sure be welcome.

Bill

With you there, neighbor - man hit's hawt!

EPawlick · July 21, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilburMartin

With you there, neighbor - man hit's hawt!

I know it's hard to believe, but we are expecting 91 F (33 C) tomorrow which is hot for us here in Ontario, Canada.

July 20, 2016	#1
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	High Heat Index and Timing of Fertilizing High Heat Index (very hot and humid) of over 100 expected in our area Thurs and Friday. I am anticipating alot of blossom drop, so I was thinking it would be a good idea to give my tomatoes some Texas Tomato Food to encourage blossoming after the wave. For sure, I will keep them hydrated, but the question is: Is it better to feed them now or wait til after the wave has passed? Or maybe timing doesn't matter...

July 20, 2016	#2
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	Just kidding. Often times it has more to do with the morning lows than daytime highs, imo. How long the heat wave is expected to last. What kind of growing medium and circumstances you have. etc.., etc.... My low last night was 82, it has been 100 +/- for weeks. H 100, L 80, w/ a 20% chance of an afternoon t-shower. I am in the southern summer bubble, which might last until September (hopefully not). So, in my case, it is just a matter of survival at this point. Personally, I don't fertilize during such a spell, just ride out the storm. I can't see Whiskey having similar heat marathon, so I would just stick to your regular schedule. You will likely have some relief and might have no ill affect if night time lows are <75. It might be a good thing, as tomatoes do like the heat and a good Wisconsin heater might give good spurt. Soil temperature plays a huge part as well. Daytime high for short period of time might be the least factor to consider. IMO

July 20, 2016	#5
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	I don't know how many plants you have, but manual pollinating might help get some fruit to set if you do it early in the morning. Regarding TTF, it has been my experience that I can get flowering very very soon after fertilizing with it, but having to wait from flowering to harvesting fruit is no fun. One more thing, I'm using shade cloth which drops the temps about 10 degrees and that has helped me keep some blossoms even in the 100+ degree heat.

July 20, 2016	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	According to Weather Underground we got to 107.2 yesterday in my area. That is definitely hot; but despite that intense heat I saw a few new fruit set that must have happened last night. We haven't seen many nights below 80 for a while and most days are near 100 or above with heat indexes off the chart. Despite that I am still getting fruit set especially with my newer plants. I fertilized with TTF a few days ago and this morning even though the ground was still moist under the mulch I gave everything a nice watering. A little extra water during these super hot times is much better than a little too little because if the plants are just a bit too dry blooms will drop off wholesale in these conditions. You just don't get much fruit set when you don't have blooms. If those plants are due some TTF then go right ahead and make sure to give them a little extra water while you are at it. In your climate the plants may not be as accustomed to the extreme heat as they are down here and may not have the extensive root system needed to suck up enough moisture when the heat hits hard. Down here the worst time for blossom drop is frequently those first few days when the temperature jumps from the mid 80s to the mid 90s or above. After that it is just a mater of supplying them adequate water and keeping them well mulched and sprayed. Bill

July 20, 2016	#12
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	When the heat is up, best to make any garden chores to be very very early or late. It is hard on both the plants and you to be working out there when the heat is at 100.