Snowy Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Do I need to do anything to help my greenhouse toms to fruit? They have loads of flowers, but some flowers have now started to wither and there does not appear to be any fruits underneath them. I remember a friend used to mist them to encourage setting - I'll give this a go,but wondered what everyone else does (if anything!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I had this for the first time this year, I've grown tomatoes for years and I've had plants die etc but I never recall a problem with setting fruit. I reckon it must be something to do with the weather? I looked in the book and it said mist the plants, and also tap them occasionally (encourages the pollen to float about, I assume!) I did this and I have now got lots of little fruits, although there are still a few not setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 Ah, so there is some evidence for misting! Will go and mist and tap - thanks Olly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I hose them with the sprinkler mode, but they are certainly not as good as last year. The bees get into our greenhouse and help pollinate, but still it seems very slow. I always keep flowers in the greenhouse anyway to help deter the pests and attract pollinating insects - so it must definitely be the weather's fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I got a paintbrush to try to fertilise my courgettes and have been using it on the tomatoes too, as I haven't seen any bees. There are lots of flies banging their heads on the roof of the greenhouse, but they don't seem to be landing on the flowers, so I thought I would help the tomatoes out. It seems to be working (although that may be wishful thinking). Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 As I'm a vegetable numpty, could you explain in simple terms what I should do with a paintbrush for my courgettes and tomatoes ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 OK, you asked for it - and I found you first - you might regret it: You are pretending to be a bee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 So I'm to get pollen on my legs and then shake it all about ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Humming is optional! Noooo, get the brush, wipe it in and around the inside of the flower and do the same on the next - just pollination the hard way. It's what they do when they want to make hybrids or new varieties, although they tend to put bags over the flower heads to stop any cross-pollination. We have one tommy plant that hasn't any flowers until it gets near the roof of the greenhouse. Not impressed with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I have been misting mine in the hot weather and I also leave both the door and the window open once June comes so that there is plenty of air and insect flow. One of my Tumblers has set so much fruit this year and still has many more flowers. That one is outdoors though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 I'll have to do some misting and pollinating with a paintbrush myself. My greenhouse is full of tomato plants, lots of flowers on the 100 &1000s type, few other flowers and only 2 tiny tomatoes. Meanwhile in the garden, a couple of tomato plants have sprung up of their own accord They are already flowering, I'll bet they do better than the pampered ones in the greenhouse! I wonder what variety they will be? I've also spotted a rogue chilli plant in the borders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 We have grown tomatoes for the first time this year and they are all groaning under the weight of tomatoes (sorry) but, they are not turning red. Is this due to the weather, is it normal or are we been impatient? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 We're first time tomato growers too . We also have loads of greenies but was just presuming they'll turn red of their own accord . I hope I'm right . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 If you have a red bottle top - like on the milk - hang it among the lowest fruits - it's an old wives tale but it seems to kick start the others. I have no idea whether there is anything scientific there, but my folks always did it with theirs (it was probably a coincidence). Or a ripe banana put nearby will kick start them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Ooo not heard that one Koojie, but definately worth a try. *off to find a red bottle top?* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 Yes I have that problem now! They have eventually all set fruit (so much so I'm getting a bit worried about what to do with it all ) but no sign of any redness yet! I just assumed it was lack of sunshine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Banana's give off enzymes to ripen fruit, you might like to try that option too (hence keeping them separate in the fruit bowl). I have lots of green ones outside, but they are beginning to turn now, but I might give the shaded toms a bit of extra boosting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffordmum Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 -next to nothing in that respect ... Should the courgettes be bright yellow? Rgds, Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 -next to nothing in that respect ... Should the courgettes be bright yellow? Rgds, Pat There are varieties of courgette that are bright yellow. They won't turn green. I think they just start off the colour they will be and maybe get a bit paler as they get bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
