I have purchased three tomato plants. They have grown in the past 3 weeks and gotten several yellow blooms on them, but then they fall off. I have grown tomatoes before and this has not happened. What is the problem?
Hardiness Zone: 9a
By Gary Swafford from Orlando, FL
Is it over 90 degrees there? Toms usually won't set above 90. Also, it's possible that the flowers aren't pollinated, try shaking your plants a few times a day in still weather.
You might also look for almost invisible teeny tiny red spiders. They cut the blooms off tomatoes.
I had the same thing happen about two summers ago. My hairdresser said her father adds calcium to the plant's base once every couple of weeks & he uses milk!
Are you kidding? First comes the flower then comes the fruit! Look to see if there are tiny tomato's hidden in the leaves.
add a tums to the soil, it is calcium, i am serious. Suggested to me as a cheap way, but can buy Stop Rot at lowes or home depot, which causes rot at the end of the tomato.
As someone else said, it's generally unpollinated blooms. Tomatoes are self pollinating through the blowing wind and the blooms only last a day or so without pollination (same with cucumbers) and then they'll fall off. If you are growing indoors or there hasn't been much wind outside it is a good idea to give the plant a little shake so the pollen finds it's way to the blooms.