Quick Answer: How To Identify Blossom Drop And Control Them On Tomato Plants?
Blossom drop is the loss of tomato flowers without producing fruits. Fluctuations in temperature, loss of pollination, excessive fertilization, and watering irregularities cause it. Planting suitable resistant varieties, protecting the plants using shade cloth, assisting in pollination, and correcting watering and fertilization issues will help control and prevent blossom drop.
This detailed guide will highlight identifying, controlling, and preventing blossom drop in tomato plants.
Shall we get started?
Contents
- Quick Answer: How To Identify Blossom Drop And Control Them On Tomato Plants?
- What Is Blossom Drop And How Does It Harms Tomato Plants?
- How To Confirm That Blossom Drop Is Troubling Your Tomato Plants?
- Natural Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
- Physical Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
- Chemical Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
- How To Prevent Blossom Drop In Tomato Plants?
- What Causes Blossom Drop In Tomato Plants?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
What Is Blossom Drop And How Does It Harms Tomato Plants?
Blossom drop is a common tomato problem in which healthy-looking tomato flower blossoms dry up and fall off the plant before the fruit is formed. It is caused due to temperature changes and plant stress.
It harms the tomato flowers and fruits. It causes poor fruit sets and affects yield.
Here is a video on blossom drop:
How To Confirm That Blossom Drop Is Troubling Your Tomato Plants?
Observe the tomato flowers. One telltale sign is the dropping down of the flowers. The yellowing of the pedicel usually precedes it.
As it progresses, the tomato blossoms will fall off the plants without developing fruit. It results in poor fruit yield.
Check out this helpful video on identifying blossom drops:
Natural Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
The natural way to control blossom drop in tomato plants includes correcting the watering irregularities.
You may add a layer of mulch to keep the soil moist during the growing season.
Method 1- Correct The Watering Issues
Tomatoes have deep roots that require consistent and regular watering during the growing season to reduce plant stress and control blossom drop.
- Correct watering– Spray water at the blossoms twice during a hot day to improve flower set in tomatoes grown under controlled production situations. Avoid overhead watering or watering the foliage when fungal diseases are present. Water consistently during dry spells.
- Add mulch– Add a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture.
Here is a video on watering tomatoes:
Method 2- Apply Tomato Set Spray
Tomato set spray is made of plant hormones that can help produce tomato fruits that have not been pollinated naturally. More studies are required in the future to determine its efficacy.
- Purchase tomato set spray– Purchase the tomato set spray and use it as directed by the manufacturer. Spray the tomato flowers as they open to encourage the formation of tomato fruits.
Check out his video to use blossom set spray:
Physical Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
The different ways to control blossom drops include protecting plants using shade cloth or row cover and assisting pollination by hands and paintbrush.
Method 1- Protect The Plants
If blossom drop is a consistent problem in summer, you may provide shade in the summer afternoon using shade cloth. The University of Maryland suggests draping 30% filtering shade cloth over tomato stakes may increase the yield and size of tomatoes.
- Protect using shade cloth– Use a shade cloth over tomato plants if the daytime temperatures are over 85oF. It will help protect from the sun and prevent the entry of pests.
- Use row covers- You may also use row covers to protect the plants when temperatures fall below 60oF.
Check out this video for managing tomatoes in high temperatures:
Method 2- Assist With Pollination
Tomato plants may need help with pollination. You may gently hand-pollinate or use a paintbrush to aid in pollination and encourage fruiting.
- Hand-pollinate the flowers– Gently shake the plants or tap their flowers. It will help in pollination.
- Use a paintbrush– Use a small, clean paintbrush to gather and spread pollen. You may mist the plants to help pollen stick in dry areas.
Click this video for assistance in pollination:
Chemical Ways To Control Blossom Drop On Tomato Plants
There are no chemicals available to control blossom drop and guarantee fruit set as environmental factors like temperature and humidity cant be controlled.
You may practice cultural practices to prevent the condition.
How To Prevent Blossom Drop In Tomato Plants?
It is best to choose the tomato varieties suitable for your area. The best preventive measures include pruning suckers, putting shade cloth, using all-purpose fertilizer, and correcting watering irregularities.
Also, you may wait for the climatic conditions to improve on its own.
Method 1- Plant Suitable Variety At Appropriate Time
Select the tomato varieties that are suitable for your temperatures. Plant them at the appropriate time to increase the chances of plants blossoming during periods of moderate weather.
Method 2- Prune Few Suckers
Prune fewer suckers so plants focus on the existing blossoms to achieve adequate tomato fruits. Also, attract more insect pollinators during extreme weather conditions.
Method 3- Correct Watering Problems
Tomato plants require consistent and regular watering to prevent blossom drop. Avoid overhead watering to prevent splashing and the spread of disease. Water in the early morning.
Method 4- Adjust Humidity Levels
Water the foliage of the tomato plants in areas with low humidity. It will help in increasing the humidity around the tomatoes.
In contrast in regions in high humidity, increase airflow by spacing tomatoes correctly and pruning them to reduce humidity and prevent blossom drop.
Method 5- Apply Adequate Fertilizers
Apply balanced fertilizers at the time of planting and when the fruits start forming. Avoid adding too much nitrogen, as it may encourage more foliage and reduce fruiting.
Check out this video on preventing blossom drop:
What Causes Blossom Drop In Tomato Plants?
Blossom drop can be caused by high daytime temperatures above 90oF and nighttime temperatures over 70oF. It can also be contributed due to a lack of pollination, lack of water, stress due to insect damage, excessively heavy fruit, and inadequate or excessive nitrogen.
Lack of adequate sunlight and high or low humidity can also favor blossom drop. If humidity is high or low, it may interfere with the release of pollen and prevent fruiting.
Check out this video on the causes of blossom drop:
Frequently Asked Questions
Calcium sprays may promote pollination and fruit set in cooler climates but their effectiveness in hot, humid conditions is relatively low. Also, even if the fruit set succeeds, the resulting tomatoes tend to be seedless resulting in mealy, bland fruits.
Blossom set spray is comprised of plant hormones that trick the plants into producing fruits from plants that are not naturally pollinated. One problem is that the seeds produced from the fruit will not be viable and few fruits may be stunted or misshapen.
The blossom drop affects tomatoes, peppers, snap beans, and other vegetables. It is caused by a combination of stresses that causes improper pollination. Many fruit trees, including apples, citrus, and plum will drop small fruits during the spring called as June drop.
Summary
I hope this guide has given you many tips for controlling and preventing blossom drop in your tomato garden.
Do share your experiences in controlling this condition.
If you find the guide helpful, do share it with your gardening friends!
