Nice big tomato plants...

[ina]

... full of flowers, too - but not a single tomato! And the flowers have started dropping off, so I'm getting a bit worried.

Last year I had plenty of tomatoes, done the same way (in poly tunnel, in pots - they even have bigger pots this year, and the door has been open much more often due to higher temperatures). However, it's a different variety I've got this year - Red Brandywine - does anybody have experience with that? Maybe they always need manual pollination?

I actually moved the plants out yesterday, it still being very warm, and I thought maybe it's too muggy inside for them. But really, I'm fishing in the dark for some solution to this. I WANT MY TOMATOES

[hedgewizard]

Hi Ina, if you're not misting, start now. Since the doors are open more, you have better air flow and the humidity inside is lower. Noticed that it's more comfortable inside the tunnel in hot weather, despite the increase in temperature? That's because your sweat cools you more easily in lower humidity.

Blossom drop (or "dry set") is usually down to underwatering or lack of pollination in low humidity. Each morning spray a fine mist over the plants and then spray upwards gently into the blossoms. In the evening tap each plant gently to dislodge pollen from the male part of the flowers (pistils?). Oh, and on your way out in the morning give the tunnel paths a bit of a soak to keep the humidity up - or do this at noon if you're around.

As for the variety, don't know. Good luck!

[Ranter]

I've got 'tumbler' growing in a hanging basket & the plants are hung with fruit. But they're showing no signs of ripening. Where the basket is hung, they get morning sun but are in shade for the rest of the day. Is this likely to be the cause?

Today I've moved the basket so it's getting afternoon sun - if lack of sun is the problem I'll have to move the basket a couple of times a day as nowhere in my garden (yard to be more accurate) is in sun all day.

[ina]

I've been keeping everything damp - and anyway, the humidity here is so high that you never know whether it's sweat running off your face or water! But I have the suspicion that maybe I haven't watered enough after all... So I shall increase my efforts. Thanks for all the tips! Maybe this variety just needs more tlc than others

[hedgewizard]

Ranter - it's still a bit early for most toms, don't worry they'll ripen when they're good and ready!

[Ranter]

Thanks Hedgewizard,
I've not been on the forum for over a week - some more pressing problems. But I'm happy to report that I just moved the hanging basket to a position where it gets more sun & I've already harvested over 1/2lb of absolutely delicious (& ripe) cherry toms

All I needed was a litte patience.

[ina]

Lucky you!

I now have ONE tomato on my four plants - green, and with wind damage. Not a success, I think.