Tomatoes not setting fruit

[Flummery]

Most modern toms can't actually be pollinated by insects - the sexual organs are all enclosed in the central tube of the flower. Some of the heritage and beefsteak types potentially could, or could be cross-pollinated by insects, because the female part sticks out of the anther cone a little way. You can see it if you look carefully. However, I suspect outdoor toms are too cold and wet, and if your indoor ones get a temperature ov 30 or over, they are unlikely to set fruits before the flowers dry up and drop off. When it comes to weather coonditions it's all out of our hands. You can damp down and/or shade a greenhouse though - that might help.

[Stacey Steve]

Went round all the toms yesterday, holding top of each cane and tapping away with a short piece of cane and sure enough I could see some pollen falling.

Neighbour was looking at me doing this with an odd look on his face, "Wrong Sunday for beating the bounds you know"

Before I came away and the cloud had built up, I used a fine spray on all of them.

Went down to open up this morning and quite a few of the flowers have not opened, so hopefully me doing the wheel tappers impersonation is having an effect.

Let you know at the end of the week.

[Seaweed Jack]

I've got Gardeners Delight and Shirley growing in the unheated greenhouse. Plenty of flowers on both types but the fruit set on the Shirley is only about 50%. Gardeners delight are now starting to fly and I had my first small red tomato yesterday. I think part of the problem up here in Cumbria this year has been the low night temperatures.

[mrswadders]

have got plenty of flowers, and a few setting (tigerella,san marzano,gd and some unknowns from the compost bin!) inside and out,fruit definately taking its time this year but i think patience will prevail!

[Keith2202]

I don't reckon you need bees to pollinate Toms - although I expect it helps.

I gently knock the canes supporting the plants to dislodge the pollen - harder to describe than to do! Its a bit like drumming your fingers on the desk, except done vertically on the supporting cane. The greenhouse immediately starts to smell of the Tomato Pollen.

Most modern toms can't actually be pollinated by insects - the sexual organs are all enclosed in the central tube of the flower. Some of the heritage and beefsteak types potentially could, or could be cross-pollinated by insects, because the female part sticks out of the anther cone a little way. You can see it if you look carefully.

Glad I read this as I am growing a cherry tomato plant on a windowsill at work and would be disappointed if it didn't fruit due to no pollination!

I always thought they were mostly self-pollinating as Flummery says, so do they still need to be shaken so that the pollen falls on the male bits?

Do peppers & chillis need a shake too? I didn't think they did

Sorry if these are stupid questions

Cheers
Keith

[Flummery]

I shake all my toms. It never hurts! With the peppers I think the flies do the business - there are always lots around the chilli plants. However, I sometimes rub my little finger inside the flower and transfer from one to another. Don't know if it's necessary but I get lots of peppers!

[Keith2202]

I'll give it go then, as you say, can't hurt.

Thanks

[TonyF]

Most toms are self fertile as Flummers said.

Give them a chance folks, it's only the 12 May, they're being forced hard if you're expecting them to be fruiting this early. All mine are very sturdy good plants, all are outside and are growing away but nothing set yet, nor at any of my chums gardens, if they're grown outside and 'naturally' they wont be fruiting just yet.

[TEB]

I grew costoluto last year (probably not a good test) but if I remember correctly they were sluggish off the mark

[Lavenderblue]

I've not got a single flower on any of mine at all but i am not worried yet. Still early.

[realfood]

While tomatoes are self fertile, the pollen still needs to be transfered from the male part to the female part of the flower, to form a tomato. I always tap the truss of flowers with the back of my hand to shake the pollen.
Commercially in greenhouses, they use mini hives of bumble bees or a vibrating wand which they use like the back of a hand.

[Flummery]

The original post was made in July last year! We are not comparing like with like. Don't worry folks, if you haven't got toms yet!

[Emmylou]

Didn't notice that! I thought I was behind with everthing, maybe I'm not doing to bad after all!!

[Digger Don]

.
Commercially in greenhouses, they use mini hives of bumble bees or a vibrating wand which they use like the back of a hand.

That is very interesting - have I found another use for my sonic toothbrush

[HotStuff]

That is very interesting - have I found another use for my sonic toothbrush

Well, that's at least 3 uses for it then