Pollination but no fruit?

creister · May 15, 2008

I know I read about this either here or at GW, but don't remember much. Some of my blooms have the wide spread calyx, and the thickened stem, and little green "tomato", but no enlargement of little green "tomato". Why does this happen? In all appearance, these look like they should mature into fruit. Been that way for a few weeks.

I think last year, I actually had a few turn into a tomato, but most did nothing but stay the same the whole season. More fertilizer, more water, or more luck? I am puzzled.

**carolyn137** · May 15, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by creister

I know I read about this either here or at GW, but don't remember much. Some of my blooms have the wide spread calyx, and the thickened stem, and little green "tomato", but no enlargement of little green "tomato". Why does this happen? In all appearance, these look like they should mature into fruit. Been that way for a few weeks.

I think last year, I actually had a few turn into a tomato, but most did nothing but stay the same the whole season. More fertilizer, more water, or more luck? I am puzzled.

The little 'tomato" you refer to at the base of the blossom is the tomato ovary and it doesn't develop into a tomato unless there is pollination, not as you say...pollination but no fruit.

The most common reason for lack of pollination in your growing area is high sustained heat that denatures the pollen and maked it non viable and if your area is humid, that also can lead to clumped pollen which is not effective.

robin303 · May 22, 2008

Have you tried thumping the stalks with your finger. I saw this lady at a tomato farm and all she ever did was go to each plant and used a electric battery operated toothbrush.

feldon30 · May 22, 2008

I've been using an electric toothbrush as well. I don't know if it makes a difference, but fruitset is decent this year.

creister · May 22, 2008

I usually shake/quickly tap the base of each plant once and many times twice a day. I will tap and shake the individual trusses if they don't shake and wiggle when I do the whole plant. I've had good luck with this the last few years.

The plant is a JD's Special. My other 3 JD's seem to readily set fruit, as they have several on them.

May 15, 2008	#1
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Pollination but no fruit? I know I read about this either here or at GW, but don't remember much. Some of my blooms have the wide spread calyx, and the thickened stem, and little green "tomato", but no enlargement of little green "tomato". Why does this happen? In all appearance, these look like they should mature into fruit. Been that way for a few weeks. I think last year, I actually had a few turn into a tomato, but most did nothing but stay the same the whole season. More fertilizer, more water, or more luck? I am puzzled.

May 22, 2008	#4
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I've been using an electric toothbrush as well. I don't know if it makes a difference, but fruitset is decent this year. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

May 22, 2008	#3
robin303 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, TX Zone 8b Posts: 531	Have you tried thumping the stalks with your finger. I saw this lady at a tomato farm and all she ever did was go to each plant and used a electric battery operated toothbrush.