Induced Fasciation

lubadub · August 26, 2019

Some of the beefsteak tomatoes, in particular, have a tendency to occasionally form fused blossoms which result in double or triple or more tomatoes fused into one. This seems to be mostly a genetic type thing but I have heard several growers say that they can increase the likelihood of this occurring. Some have said it is weather related, cold at the time of pollination, maybe disease related or possibly due to elevated phosphorus levels in the soil. I can't find much written about this and wondered if any of you have some thoughts on this topic?

GrowingCoastal · August 26, 2019

This year I have an Isis Candy that is not true to type, not the right colours, all red. As well, it has the peculiarity of having the first fruit of each truss grow out as a double. At first I thought it was cold induced fusing but that's not it for this has continued into the warm weather. I wondered about its genetics when i saw that.

Koala Doug · August 26, 2019

It is a stress response, but genetics do seem to play a role.

I've seen fused/fasciated stems and blossoms triggered by cold weather around the time of transplant.

I've also caused it to occur from too intense of light (too high of a PAR value) - this year, I tripled my grow lights (T5 High Output) and one of my plants, the Rosella Purple, has a fasciated stem that is actually seven stems fused side-by-side.

I would assume there are many environmental triggers that could cause this physiological response.

SQWIBB · August 26, 2019

Had that issue with my Beefmasters this year.

AKmark · August 26, 2019

I grow over a long season that is much different through the year. I do see more fused blossoms in the Spring, when temps are cooler.

August 26, 2019	#1
lubadub Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: PA Posts: 169	Induced Fasciation Some of the beefsteak tomatoes, in particular, have a tendency to occasionally form fused blossoms which result in double or triple or more tomatoes fused into one. This seems to be mostly a genetic type thing but I have heard several growers say that they can increase the likelihood of this occurring. Some have said it is weather related, cold at the time of pollination, maybe disease related or possibly due to elevated phosphorus levels in the soil. I can't find much written about this and wondered if any of you have some thoughts on this topic? __________________ Bigger is Better!

August 26, 2019	#2
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	This year I have an Isis Candy that is not true to type, not the right colours, all red. As well, it has the peculiarity of having the first fruit of each truss grow out as a double. At first I thought it was cold induced fusing but that's not it for this has continued into the warm weather. I wondered about its genetics when i saw that.

August 26, 2019	#3
Koala Doug Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Detroit Posts: 688	It is a stress response, but genetics do seem to play a role. I've seen fused/fasciated stems and blossoms triggered by cold weather around the time of transplant. I've also caused it to occur from too intense of light (too high of a PAR value) - this year, I tripled my grow lights (T5 High Output) and one of my plants, the Rosella Purple, has a fasciated stem that is actually seven stems fused side-by-side. I would assume there are many environmental triggers that could cause this physiological response.

August 26, 2019	#4
SQWIBB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philly 7A Posts: 739	Had that issue with my Beefmasters this year.

August 26, 2019	#5
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	I grow over a long season that is much different through the year. I do see more fused blossoms in the Spring, when temps are cooler.