TheNaturePlanet

It’s frustrating to see tomato plants full of blossoms only to have them fall off. Here are the main causes and practical solutions to prevent blossom drop and improve fruit set.

1. Temperature Stress
Ideal range: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) during the day, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) at night.

Problem: Above 30 °C (86 °F) or below 10 °C (50 °F), pollen loses viability and pollination fails.

Solutions:

In hot weather: use shade nets and mist around plants at midday (avoid wetting flowers).

In cold weather: cover plants with plastic or blankets at night, or use a small heater; monitor with a thermometer.

2. Poor Pollination
On enclosed balconies, there’s no wind or insects to carry pollen.

Solutions:

Hand pollination: use a cotton swab to transfer pollen, or vibrate flower clusters with an electric toothbrush.

Natural aid: ventilate by opening windows for 2 hours in the morning and evening.

3. Nutrient Imbalance
Problem: Excess nitrogen leads to leafy growth; lack of phosphorus, potassium, or boron causes poor flower development.

Solutions:

Before flowering: water weekly with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (1:1000 dilution).

During flowering: foliar spray boric acid (0.1% solution) to improve fruit set.

Alternate organic and compound fertilizers for balanced nutrition.

4. Water Stress
Problem: Drought halts growth, while waterlogging rots roots—both cause blossom drop.

Solutions:

Water thoroughly only when the top 2 cm of soil is dry;

Reduce watering during flowering and avoid wetting blossoms;

Improve drainage with pebbles or perlite in the potting mix.

5. Insufficient Light
Requirement: Tomatoes need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Solutions:

Rotate pots for even exposure;

Use full-spectrum grow lights for 4 hours on cloudy days;

Prune excess foliage to prevent shading.

6. Pests and Diseases
Problem: Whiteflies and aphids feed on blossoms; gray mold and early blight infect flowers.

Solutions:

Spray mancozeb (1:800 dilution) weekly;

Use yellow sticky traps for flying pests; dab aphids with soapy water;

Treat gray mold with procymidone and whiteflies with imidacloprid, following label rates.

Extra Care Tips
Prune diseased and old leaves to save nutrients.

Support plants with stakes or trellises to protect blossoms.

Use homemade organic fertilizers like fermented rice water or banana peel tea.

Take photos regularly to monitor plant health and spot issues early.