Flowers browning and falling off my tomato plants! Please help.

[atlgirl]

I am growing heirloom tomatoes, several varieties, and on some of them, the stem of the new flower bends down in a 90 degree angle, then shrivels, turns brown and falls off. You can see three flowers at varying stages in the picture attached. I've never seen this before. Does anyone know what causes it, and what I can do to stop it? Thanks!

 

[Chuck]

Looks like what is called Blossom Drop. It is mainly caused by the weather, either too hot or too cold, too humid too dry. It can also be caused by too much or too little nitrogen.

 

[atlgirl]

Thank you Chuck. It's been hot and humid just the last week or so here in Atlanta. I hope that being indeterminates, they will continue to produce! I'm also going to start a succession planting; with our long growing season, I may be able to have a second crop!

 

[Chuck]

Thank you Chuck. It's been hot and humid just the last week or so here in Atlanta. I hope that being indeterminates, they will continue to produce! I'm also going to start a succession planting; with our long growing season, I may be able to have a second crop!

Nighttime LOW temperatures are mainly what determines fruit set although if daytime highs are above 90F for an extended period of time this too will cause bloom drop. Nighttime low temperatures should not be below 62F and nighttime highs should not be above 72. If humidity is perfect they will set at 60F and at 74F. Even if the temperature is correct and the humidity either too high or too low it will have blossom drop. Tomatoes are self-pollinating and if the humidity is too high the pollen sticks to itself and if too low the pollen is too dry and floats away no matter what the temperature is thus blossom drop again. Hope this helps in understanding why your blooms dropped. With cherry varieties the above does not apply

 

[atlgirl]

This is GREAT information! I suspect the temperatures have something to do with it.....obviously that's out of my control. With luck, I will still have a nice harvest.....I have also used a small artist's paintbrush to help pollinate. Hope it helps!