In summer, many gardeners have a problem with poor fruit formation on tomatoes.
This is due to the fact that at high air temperatures, tomato pollen becomes sterile and is unable to form an ovary.
Therefore, it is necessary to take some measures that will help to correct the situation. What should be done?
Timely watering
Tomatoes like moisture, but not overwatering. They need to be watered regularly, but not often. The optimal watering regime is once every two to three days, 10-15 liters of water per square meter of the bed.
Watering should be done in the morning or evening, when the sun is not so active. The water should be warm, not colder than 20 degrees. Watering should be done under the root, without getting on the leaves and fruits.
Pinching and thinning
To ensure that tomatoes set fruit better, you need to remove extra shoots - side shoots. This will allow the plant to direct its energy to the formation of fruits, and not to the growth of greenery.
Stepchildren need to be removed regularly, not allowing shoots to grow more than 5 cm. You also need to thin out the leaves, especially the lower ones, which shade the fruits and contribute to the development of diseases.
Shading and ventilation
To prevent tomatoes from suffering from the scorching sun, they need to be provided with some shade. Agrofibre or other materials that do not allow direct sunlight to reach the plants are suitable for this.
You can also place vertical board or plywood shields along the beds to reflect some of the sunlight. The greenhouse should be well ventilated by opening the windows and doors.
Spraying and fertilizing
To improve fruit setting, you can spray tomatoes with special preparations that stimulate flowering and pollination.
For example, you can use Bud or Ovarin according to the instructions on the package. You can also spray tomatoes with a solution of boric acid (1 g per 10 l of water) or honey (1 tbsp. per 10 l of water). This will increase fertility and strengthen the immunity of plants.
In addition to spraying, tomatoes need regular feeding, especially during the flowering and fruiting period.
For this purpose, you can use complex mineral fertilizers for tomatoes or organic substances such as humus, mulch or ash.
By following these simple rules, you can save your tomatoes from the summer heat and get a good harvest of juicy and tasty fruits.
Previously we talked about how to protect your plot from flea beetles.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
