Where are my tomatoes!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ennnceee, Jun 12, 2020.

  1. ennnceee

    ennnceee Gardener

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    Greetings. I've been growing tomatoes in containers, south facing, for more than twenty years and always enjoyed great success.

    This year, healthy plants, squillions of flowers, but only a very few tomatoes setting. I wonder if I'm just impatient (although the few that have set are a fair size now, albeit still small, of course) or, otherwise, what the problem is. I have had to use different multi-purpose this year, but with a few setting and healthy plants, can it be that?

    Thanks

    Disappointed of Shoreham-by-Sea!
     
  2. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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    Seeing as most people growing Outdoor tomatoes have only just planted them out in the last week, I would guess that you are being a little impatient...?
     
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    • 2nd_bassoon

      2nd_bassoon Super Gardener

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      My guess would be impaitence, sorry! I grow outside against a south facing wall and don't usually get fruit until July. I have noticed the hot spring has made a lot of other things early - I had both strawberries and sweetpeas in May - so maybe that's what's making normally-times tomatoes feel late by comparison?!
       
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      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        Hi,

        Might be down to the weather and lack of pollinating bees and insects.

        Have you tried hand pollinating them ?

        Often said around midday is the best time, use a very soft makeup brush or simiiar and just go around and 'tickle' the flowers every day and see if that improves things.
         
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        • ennnceee

          ennnceee Gardener

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          Ah, will try that and see if it does make a difference.

          You may well be right about patience or lack of it, was just that I was surprised a few fruit had set and grown to a recognisable size while no sign on any of the many other flowers.

          Thanks all.

          I'm always early, by the way. More impatience!
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I picked my first tomatoes yesterday, one from an outdoor plant in a pot. So it sounds like yours aren't setting, same conclusion as Ricky. I give each of my plants a gentle shake 2 or 3 times a day. That is enough to transfer pollen from the male part of the flower to the female.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Not usually an out door problem but it does sound like poor pollination.
             
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            • Arlandria

              Arlandria Gardener

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              I've only just got flowers on mine in the last week or so and have been wondering whether mine are behind the curve. I don't understand how plants that have only just been planted outside can be expected to have fruit already. I think I'm comparing to plants that have been grown in a greenhouse, and that's not helpful as it's such a different environment. Then again mine were in a heated conservatory which is basically the same thing, so maybe it isn't that different?

              EDIT: I just looked up when my varieties are supposed to produce fruit, and everything is saying August. So I went back and checked the 2019 tomato thread and I saw people were just getting fruit in August and September. I really think it's just too early for most tomatoes yet and those who do have fruit have tricked the system somehow :biggrin:
               
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                Last edited: Jun 12, 2020
              • ennnceee

                ennnceee Gardener

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                Mine have been out for weeks, hence the few fruit on them. It's just odd to see a handful the size of what I remember as a gobstopper, perhaps a little smaller, but barely any small green pimples anywhere else. I've just given them a shake, though, so all things are possible!
                 
              • Glynne Williams

                Glynne Williams Keen Gardener

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                Big plants both inside and out but inside too long, suggesting poor light?, some fruit on outside plants but small as are the one or two inside! Bl**dy white fly! (Tried the wasps couple of years ago but fluctuating temp stopped them, so using pyrethrum again!)
                Considering changing variety? Give up altogether, as I don't eat them raw, but could it be shade?
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Toms need full sun for at least part of the day.
                  White fly is a usual pest under glass.
                  Never grow tomatoes under glass these days, you get them earlier but unless you need lots of them just to much hassle. :smile:
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    There is a specific tomato growing thread and a few pictures in there might give you a better response.
                     
                  • Glynne Williams

                    Glynne Williams Keen Gardener

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                    Curiously we've decided to try not having any in heated cons next year (might squeeze some more half hardy salvias in instead!)
                    Wonder if there is a more shade-loving variety, particularly large fruited Tom?
                     
                  • ennnceee

                    ennnceee Gardener

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                    Hello there, well, think I was just impatient, mainly; have a good crop on most now, although the new variety that I was trying haven't done much. Thanks for all contributions.
                     
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