« View Post
Photos

Oops! Leave without saving?

If you leave this page, the information you have entered will not be saved!
Are you sure you want to leave this page?

Leave this page Stay on this page

Hometalk.com

  • Sign Up
  • or
  • Log In
  • Professionals
  • Community
    • All Members
    • Professionals
    • Bloggers
  • About
    • About Hometalk
    • Blog
    • FAQ
    • Guidelines
    • Resources
    • Support
    • Press
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Following
  • All Topics
    • Cleaning & Organization
    • Crafts
    • Design & Décor
    • DIY Projects
    • Gardening
    • Home Maintenance & Repairs
    • Outdoor Living
    • Painting
    • Remodeling
    • Repurposing & Upcycling
    See More Topics »
  • Questions
    • All Questions
    • Open Questions
    • Unanswered Questions
  • Clips
Post & Ask
Join Now Log In

Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

53
Walter Reeves
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA on Jun 15, 2011
Like Clip

If your tomato plant seems to be losing its flowers without making fruit, try tapping the flower clusters with a pencil

twice each day. Tomatoes don't need bees for pollination, just vibration to shake the pollen around on hot, humid days.
  • Like Clip
  • Like Clip
Post Comment | Like | Clip | Share
2923 Views
16 Comments
  • Hudson Designs Loganville, GA
    Thank you Walter! I am heading out to my little garden now pencil in hand...
    on Jun 15, 2011 · Like 0
  • John H Clermont, FL
    Thanks Walter!!!....I'm thumpin those plants every day now! I have the cherries like your photos.
    on Jun 15, 2011 · Like 0
  • JL Spring & Associates Richmond, VA
    Hi Walter, I have a sweet orange cherry tomato in my upside down "topsy-turvy" hanger and as soon as I put the plant in, it turned upwards, not hanging down and has only produced about 7 little tomatoes..good, buy not many. There are a few buds and all my other tomatoes are growing great guns. ODD??? or normal? Do I start tapping my already distressed plant?

    JL

    on Jun 15, 2011 · Like 0
  • Steve G Fort Collins, CO
    Brilliant. Thanks again, Walter. I hope I can remember this for a month or whatever til we actually start getting tomatoes or even flowers up here.
    on Jun 15, 2011 · Like 1
  • Amy Q Brooklyn, NY
    Great advise Walter ! my tomato is starting grow flower, I make sure I will do as you said.
    on Jun 21, 2011 · Like 0
  • James A Roswell, GA
    Who would have thought to tap buds with a pencil? The neighbors are going to call mental health on me.
    on Jul 10, 2011 · Like 3
  • Kel P Breckenridge, MI
    I have tried the last 3 seasons to grow large tomatos. I do beefsteak, cherry and I have tried a couple other types. My cherry tomatos grow like wildfire, and they get pretty big for a cherry. But all other types of tomatos seem to not grow and when I do get one that looks nice it ends up being shriveled on one side or stops getting big. Im about to give up and just do cherrys, but I will try that trick, maybe get some better ones this year.
    on Apr 06, 2012 · Like 0
  • Nancy S Logan, OH
    Oh I never even thought of that. My sister asked me what to do few months back I told her to use Q Tip. LOL it worked for her. She is in southern Ca so there growing season is so different there. She pretty much lives in the desert. So the heat also play's big part too.
    on Apr 06, 2012 · Like 0
  • Shirley H Joplin, MO
    which may be the answer to tomatoes like it a little breezy so I have read; the wind moves the plant which shakes the pollen.
    on Apr 06, 2012 · Like 0
  • Crystal N Los Angeles, CA
    Yes, that works well, but it only works if you make a "buzzing" sound like a bee! lol
    on Apr 06, 2012 · Like 2
  • Anne B
    Great once they are bigger watering and tomato grower too.
    on Apr 06, 2012 · Like 0
  • Mark B Gainesville, GA
    Thamks so much for the teriffic tip. no more lost buds. only tasty clusters. yum yum yum
    on Apr 07, 2012 · Like 0
  • Dave J Pittsburgh, PA
    I always used a Q-tip to spread the pollen around from flower to flower, I will try this method this year !
    on Apr 07, 2012 · Like 0
  • Gertie R Fort Collins, CO
    interesting will give it a try in a month or so when I can plant.....after the danger of frost has passed.
    on Apr 08, 2012 · Like 0
  • Sue H
    I just left mine alone and let them grow....watered them occassionally. Really got a great load and was kept in Tomato's all summer long - just from a few plants.
    on Apr 22, 2013 · Like 0
  • Linda schubert Sarasota, FL
    Can I grow tomatoes in a large pot inside my pool cage?
    on Apr 22, 2013 · Like 1

NOTE: You can drag and drop your photos to reorder them
Required
Comment Saving...

Related Posts

  • Awesome Website for Small Garden Inspiration
  • Garden mailbox toolshed
  • Re purposed cans
  • 12 Likes

    Mary Jane Mary Hill Dottie M Jane Tammy Phil Bauman Dave J Mark B MJ H Yaron Miriam I Hudson Designs

Clipped to 6 Boards »

  • Rachel Chaney
    Plants & Flowers
    by Rachel Chaney
  • Berthaskrafts
    For the Garden
    by Berthaskrafts
  • Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads
    Tomato Growing Tips
    by Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads

Related Topics

Gardening

Recent Questions »

  • Jen Pontow
    How do I stop birds from eating our suga...
    8 minutes ago 8 answers
  • Alice Palumbo
    Black roaches in my potted grape vine
    9 minutes ago 2 answers
  • Have a question?
    Ask now & get answers»
Back
to top
Feedback