Trying to grow Cherokee people. Zone 9a/b. I'm a greenhouse overnight with temperature set to 56F. I shake them regularly but nothing yet. An I impatient it an I doing something wrong. Husky cherrys are doing okay. Flowers will die after a bit and fall off. I'm a newbie. I use 3-4-3 around the perimeter of the pots every two weeks per instructions. First year trying potted and very much a newbie. Any help would be appreciated.
Arizona
by Regular_Government22
11 Comments
tomato flowers self pollinate so just give them a gentle shake once a day
IF the flowers are falling off with not fruiting something is wrong. Are they moist? You could do the electric toothbrush on the flowers trick.
Alos you say what the overnight temp is but whats the daytime temp?
I find an electric toothbrush works best to pollinate. I find NPK 3-2-5 work great to produce strong stem and root structure to uptake nutrients for fruit support referencing from Haifa Group.
If it’s cool and no pollinators around, the flowers do not set aka get pollinated. You can get a spray that helps set them in these conditions so the tomatoes start to grow.
https://www.parkseed.com/products/bonide-tomato-and-blossom-spray-32-oz-96941?variant=42354628034619&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21524134544&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21524134544&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyvHLBhDlARIsAHxl6xo6HefT82_YmIPlTqiG9V9h0zml55cLx7MhgdQmP0MJ5_ITBLUflhMaAubKEALw_wcB
You’re getting a lot of good advice here. Yay!
There are also some ‘growing tips’ here that I think may really help you:
http://Www.heirloomtomatoplants.com
Seems like you are doing everything right if your other tomatoes are growing
Kick the heat up and see if that helps. They don’t like big fluctuations in temp.
I believe Cherokee people come from other Cherokee people not tomatoes…. (Terrible joke I know)
It takes time. Be patient – you’re doing well. That was me last summer – also my first year growing tomatoes. In a few weeks, you’ll be back saying they’re not turning red. Then you’ll be back asking where to donate tomatoes. 😂
Your plants will take off when the average temperature gets above 70 in the day. Tomatoes tolerate down to around 50 degrees, but that doesn’t mean they will thrive. Lower temps will slow down metabolism and sometimes even halt growth for a time so don’t worry. It can still fruit in the 50s, but will really speed up with warmth.
I also underestimate, every year, how long it can take certain varieties to set and grow into a consumable fruit. Some of these indeterminate heirlooms are late season bloomers. Cherokee is usually around 80 days before harvest in the Midwest so have that inform your timing for when it is in full fruiting. They look healthy though, just small. Is it a dwarf variety? Might just have to wait longer.
Might need more air circulation or you could try another method like a paintbrush.
Finally, I find the first batch of tomatoes from a plant can sometimes be subpar, but I used older seeds this past year so that could be related
That’s still a bit cool for tomatoes to set. Turn up the heat 24/7 or wait for nature to do so.