Why do tomato flowers dry up and fall off?

Falling flowers from tomatoes is one of the common complaints of gardeners. The owner of the culture is faced with the task of not only eliminating this unpleasant phenomenon, but also finding out the cause. If the problem is dealt with in a timely manner, it is possible to save the future harvest, despite some of the lost ovaries and flowers.

Why do flowers and ovaries fall in tomatoes

The reasons for falling flowers in tomatoes can be both objective and subjective. Both adverse weather conditions and careless actions of gardeners can harm the plant. Depending on the factor that caused the flowers to fall off, it is important to adhere to a specific treatment plan.

Incorrect watering

Often, tomato owners, seeing the buds fall or the leaves wither, begin to moisten the soil abundantly, believing that the reason is a lack of moisture. But excessive watering only aggravates the situation: in such an environment, bacteria and fungi are active, destroying the roots.

With poor watering, tomato flowers in a greenhouse dry out from a lack of nutrients coming from the soil along with water.

With a lack of moisture, the first sign is the yellowing of the pedicels, which then dry out and fall off.

High air humidity

More often, gardeners who grow tomatoes in greenhouses face a problem. In an effort to create ideal conditions, they humidify the air. And if this figure is above 70%, then the plant begins to fall flowers.

It should be borne in mind that there are varieties that tolerate drought or excess moisture well, but over time even they suffer from the created conditions.

Poor seed quality

Material should be purchased only in trusted stores. Some gardeners collect seeds themselves, violating the technology of harvesting and storage. They also do not take into account the fact that some varieties are hybrids that cannot be used for reproduction. It is because of defective seeds that the ovary on tomatoes falls.

Lack of sunlight

Sun deficiency negatively affects tomatoes, in which photosynthesis processes begin to be disrupted. With a lack of light, the buds on the shrub fall off. There are shade-tolerant varieties, but they also need a sufficient amount of lighting for greater productivity.

When planting tomatoes on the site, you should always plan the beds so that all plants have enough sunlight.

Temperature changes

And although tomatoes love heat, the heat does not do them any good. If the air in the greenhouse warms up above +35 ° C, then their pollen becomes sterile. It is because of this that the flowers fall along with the stem.

This conclusion was made by breeders after they noticed that bushes planted at the aisles or entrances bear fruit more abundantly.

In consistently hot weather, gardeners can save plants; it is necessary to hang greenhouses on the south side with non-woven material. To increase the intensity of pollination and prevent the flowers from falling off, it is recommended to shake the bushes slightly in the morning.

In order to save tomatoes from scorching rays and falling buds, you can use shading breathable nets

Tomato flowers dry in the greenhouse and because of the cold. If the temperature drops below +15 ° C, then all processes in tomatoes slow down, flowers fall off. To solve the problem, gardeners shed beds with warm water, install heaters, build stoves. Bud drop stops as soon as the plant recovers.

In the open field, you can protect the bushes with agrofiber or other improvised materials.

Planting density

The desire to get more vegetables from one bed leads to the fact that the gardener violates the rules of agricultural technology by placing tomatoes at close range.

As a result of such actions, there is little space for the root system of plants, the above-ground part of the tomatoes lacks sunlight. It should be borne in mind that during the rainy period, a lot of moisture accumulates in thickened plantings, which is why harmful microorganisms actively multiply. From a lack of nutrition and light, the flowers of tomatoes fall off and break off.

Too little or too much fertilizer

Top dressing should be used in a timely manner and strictly according to the instructions. With an excess of nitrogen, tomato bushes increase their green mass, shading each other. Yellowing and falling of pedicels indicates a lack of phosphorus and potassium. If the missing substances are introduced into the soil in time, it will be possible to save the crop.

If the soil has an increased acidity pH of more than 6,5, then boron and manganese are absorbed by tomatoes worse. In this case, brown spots appear on the sepals, and then you can notice the fall of the flowers.

Diseases and pests

As a result of the activity of insects and microorganisms, both the root system and the aerial part of tomatoes may suffer. Flowers fall due to lack of nutrients, weakening of plants.

Medvedka tomato roots often attack. Dig tunnels, they destroy everything in their path. They are active in beds richly fertilized with manure.

To combat insects and prevent flowers from falling off, it is recommended to regularly loosen the beds, use mineral supplements, as well as special formulations.

A popular drug for the destruction of the bear is Borevin

The real horror of gardeners is the wireworm. It is almost impossible to get him out of the site in one season. This insect, resembling a small centipede, not only destroys the roots, but also the stems of tomatoes, loves root crops very much, survives severe frosts well and multiplies quickly.

To destroy the wireworm, a combination of physical methods and chemical means is required. Gardeners dig up plots several times a season, destroy the pest when catching. Among the drugs, the use of the insecticide Bazudin is common.

If no measures are taken, then the wireworm safely destroys entire crop plantations.

In thickened plantings, you can often encounter the activity of the fungus. It feels great in moist soil, covers the surface of the soil with a white coating. Gradually, it spreads throughout the plant. This is manifested not only by the fall of flowers, but also by the wilting of the leaves, slowing down the growth of the tomato. If you do not use fungicides, then it will safely destroy the plant.

What to do if flowers fall in tomatoes in the greenhouse and in the open field

When growing tomatoes under cover, it is necessary to provide comfortable conditions for the plant indoors. Control the level of humidity, air temperature, degree of lighting. Many parameters can be adjusted: the greenhouse can be ventilated, phytolamps can be installed in it, heated with a stove.

Separately, it is required to stipulate the rules of watering:

1. Tomatoes need to be moistened only in the evening to prevent the buds from falling off.
2. Water should be used settled, warm. To do this, it is collected in containers and left for a day in barrels. During this period, not only useless plumbing substances will evaporate from it, but a comfortable temperature will also be established. No need to water the tomatoes from above. This can not only lead to falling flowers, but also the appearance of rot.

The most common fertilizer for tomatoes, so that flowers do not fall off, is mullein infusion. After all, this substance contains not only nitrogen, but also phosphorus and potassium, which are necessary for the full formation of ovaries.

If it is not possible to prepare an infusion, then gardeners water the tomato beds with green tea. To do this, a glass of dry mixture is poured with a bucket of water and left for 2-3 days. This tool is great for helping with falling buds.

If signs of pests or diseases appear, it is recommended to treat the shrubs with chemicals according to the instructions, to reconsider your principles for caring for the plant.

preventive measures

To prevent falling flowers from tomatoes, you should follow certain rules:

1. Compliance with the irrigation regime, taking into account the climatic features of the region.
2. Use for planting only tested certified seeds in licensed stores.
3. To ensure, as far as possible, the temperature regime in the open field and the greenhouse using improvised means. Do not neglect ventilation, heating, shading to prevent flowers from falling off.
4. Protect bushes from heavy winds. Indeed, in this case, the fall of flowers occurs under mechanical influence.
5. Pollinate yourself with a brush or brush.
6. Avoid thickening of plantings, form plants in a timely manner, provide them with support.

In most cases, it is enough to adjust the growing conditions to stop the fall of flowers, therefore, when planting varieties, one should study the climatic features of the region, calculate possible risks.

Conclusion

Tomato flowers fall from those gardeners who have encountered problems growing crops. Despite the assurances of manufacturers, any varieties need proper care. Only if the principles of agricultural technology are observed is it possible to obtain a bountiful harvest. But even if a problem of falling flowers is found, one should not refuse to save the plant: with the right approach, it is possible to save the remaining ovaries.