Washington: What to do, myTomatoes have Blossom Drop

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by wellil, Jul 7, 2010.

  1. wellil

    wellil Member

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    Location:
    Seattle, WA, USA
    I have five huge, gorgeous tomato plants (5 different kinds) that are covered with blossoms. One even has green tomatoes bigger than golf balls on it. We've been having a very cold early Summer here in Seattle, but my south-facing garden is growing like crazy. Now I have a problem. It's my first year growing tomatoes, but I quickly figured that I have blossom drop - the flowers are just shriveling and falling off. There seem to be so many different things that can cause blossom drop that I don't know what to do. The weather has been cold, there are some aphids (but not a lot), I don't know how much nitrogen is in the soil (they are planted in big containers filled with planting mix I bought in bulk, and everything is so happy and growing so much), and if they aren't getting polinated I don't know how I could figure that out.
    I've read many places that I should buy a commercial "fruit-setter" to spray on, but I'm trying to stay organic and that doesn't sound organic.
    Any advice?
    Thanks in advance,
    Lillian
     
  2. Keke

    Keke Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Vancouver, BC CANADA
    It's possible with the cool, wet weather you have not been getting pollinators, and if nighttime temps are below 10C (50F) you will also get blossom drop.

    Tomatoes actually pollinate themselves pretty well, so every morning when you visit them, give the branches a gentle shake or two. I in fact shake mine every time I go by, just in case -- it's probably a placebo effect but it seems to help. Well, it helps me anyway!

    Now that we've got a little more heat happening they'll probably be fine. Just keep the pots well-watered, because blossom end rot is related to uneven watering practices. Crush up some eggshells and sprinkle those on the soil surface as well, as tomatoes love calcium.

    happy tomato gardening!
    keke
     
  3. elgordo

    elgordo Active Member

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    Location:
    Surrey, B.C. Canada
    Just been the stinkin' cold. I think yours is a common problem.
     

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