Issues Regular Tomato Growers Face, Unraveled for Novice Gardeners
Are you a tomato gardener struggling with some issues? Fear not, because we're about to help you tackle three common tomato growing problems that most beginners face. Let's dive right in!
New to the world of tomato gardening? It's a popular choice, with many gardeners growing tomatoes to make sauces, bruschetta, or just enjoy them fresh in the summer. Yet, it can be disheartening when things don't go as planned.
Don't worry; here, we'll discuss three common issues faced by most gardeners and provide you with some solutions to set your tomatoes growing journey on the right track.
Blossoms, but No Fruit (A.K.A. Blossom Drop)
You may have noticed blossoms on your plants but no fruit forming. Known as blossom drop, this problem occurs due to a lack of pollination – usually because of environmental stressors. Tomato flowers are "perfect flowers," meaning they have both male and female parts within each flower, so they can be pollinated by wind, bees, or other pollinators.
So, why don't these flowers pollinate and form fruits? Tomato flowers are less likely to self-pollinate when daily temperatures are below 70°F or above 90°F or when the humidity is lower than 40% or higher than 70%. Additionally, excessive wind can dry out the pollen in the flower or not shake it enough to enable pollination.
Ideally, you'll want to ensure all those factors are met for pollination to occur – but sometimes, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. If temperature seems to be an issue, you might want to wait it out, ensuring the plant remains healthy until conditions improve. If it's a humidity or wind problem, you can manually shake the flower (using your fingers, an electric toothbrush, or a veggie bee) to help with pollination. This may not always work, but it's worth a try, especially for smaller gardens.
Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot (BER) is a common but often misunderstood condition. This issue manifests as a large black spot on the bottom of the fruit, and it occurs more often in paste tomatoes or elongated tomato varieties. However, it can be seen in larger-fruited tomatoes as well.
BER is caused by a calcium deficiency that arises when adequate calcium doesn't reach the fruit. Adding calcium to the soil might not solve the issue – instead, the problem lies in the uptake of calcium from the soil by the plant. Dry and hot temperatures with irregular watering are usually the culprits, causing the plant to focus on maintaining essential functions rather than transporting calcium to the fruit.
So, to prevent BER, make sure your garden is getting plenty of water. The best irrigation options can help with that. While BER is most often caused by inconsistent watering, high nitrogen levels in the soil, or low temperatures at the time of fruiting can also contribute to the problem. If BER persists despite watering regularly, you should consider performing a soil test to determine if there are any underlying issues.
Diseases
Tomatoes can suffer from bacterial or viral diseases on occasion as well, and these are much worse. While identifying infections caused by fungi like early blight and septoria leaf spot may require assistance, pruning off affected leaves can help manage these diseases. Identifying the signs will help you to take timely action and cut back as much as possible.
When in doubt, take a photo of your tomato plants and contact your local cooperative extension service for advice. They can help you identify potential problems and offer guidance on how to treat them. You can typically find your local cooperative extension service online.
In conclusion, most tomato issues are treatable, and while you may not be able to fix every problem entirely, with the right knowledge and care, you can still hope for a good harvest!
If you're having trouble with blossom drop, try manually shaking the flowers to help with pollination, especially for smaller gardens when environmental conditions aren't ideal. This may not always work, but it's worth a try to improve your tomato growing journey.
For blossom end rot, ensure your garden is getting enough water with proper irrigation, as dry and hot temperatures can cause calcium deficiencies. Also, uneven watering and high nitrogen levels in the soil may contribute to the problem, so it's essential to maintain regular watering and perform a soil test if BER persists.
