Some tomato growers might find that their cherry tomatoes only flower but don’t bear fruit, and the fruits are small and sour. Don’t worry! Here are some solutions that can help you achieve "tomato freedom" at home.
1. Environment
Light: Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. For balcony growers, you can use supplemental grow lights to make up for insufficient light, as lack of light can cause flowers to drop.
Temperature: The optimal temperature is 25-28°C during the day and 15-18°C at night. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, shade and ventilation are necessary, as high temperatures can deactivate the pollen.
Humidity: Maintain humidity between 50%-60%. After rain, ensure proper drainage to avoid excessive moisture, which can lead to diseases.
2. Watering and Fertilizing
Watering: During the fruit-setting stage, water thoroughly when the top 2 cm of soil is dry. Avoid uneven watering, as it can cause fruit cracking. During the fruit enlargement stage, water in the morning and evening, avoiding midday watering. Be sure to drain any standing water and promptly refill when the plant requires more water.
Fertilizing: 7 days after flowering, apply high-phosphorus and high-potassium fertilizers, such as monopotassium phosphate, once every 10 days to promote fruit setting. During the fruit enlargement stage, use calcium fertilizer and high-potassium fertilizers, as calcium deficiency can lead to blossom end rot. Apply light, frequent fertilizers.
3. Pruning and Thinning
Pruning Side Shoots: Use a single stem pruning method. Remove old leaves and weak side shoots at the bottom, leaving only the main stem.
Thinning Flowers and Fruit: Leave 4-5 healthy fruits per cluster and remove deformed or small fruits.
Pinching: After 5-6 clusters of fruit, pinch off the top to concentrate nutrients on the fruits.
4. Hand Pollination
Shake the Flower Stems: Gently shake the plant around 10 AM to simulate the natural wind for pollination. This method is suitable for outdoor or balcony cultivation.
Brush Pollination: Use a soft brush to collect pollen and gently sweep it onto the stigma. This is especially useful for closed balconies.
5. Pest and Disease Control
Diseases: For early blight, spray with mancozeb or zinc. For gray mold, remove infected leaves and improve ventilation.
Pests: For aphids, rinse with water and spray with bitter melon alkaloids. For red spiders, spray with chili water and increase humidity.
Prevention: Regularly spray a baking soda solution (1g:500ml) to inhibit the growth of pathogens.
In conclusion, by following these steps, your tomatoes will set fruit steadily, grow larger, and have a sweeter taste, allowing you to easily achieve "tomato freedom."
Leave a Reply