Fw: [Arid_gardener] Shading Tomatoes

[Dick]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dick 
To: Bill Woody 
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 10:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Shading Tomatoes


I have always understood, Bill. that tomato pollen is dead above about 90 F. If that is the case, pollination does not happen and, of course, no fruit develops. Shading, I believe, may bring the blossom through and a bit above that critical window but it hasn't always worked for me. It is the temperature itself, not the direct rays that actually kill the pollen so shading has little effect but too much shade will force legginess.The way to beat the system is, I believe, to get tomatoes in early enough to get a set comfortably before 90F. Those will usually ripen. Sun burn is another problem for exposed fruit. To overcome that, I used to mix gypsum with water and use a spray bottle to coat the sun exposed fruit surface. The white crystal, even in a light coat, evidently reflects emough direct rays to protect the skin.

I would not cover tomatoes until the sustained temp is 90 because photosynthesis cannot effectively take place without full sun.  But, any set fruit will ripen if it avoids these hazards

Another problem I have had is over-fertilizing favoring vegetative growth over blossoming. 

The best set I have ever had in pot growing was to use 1/4th tsp of 21/0/0 per gallon every time I watered in a soil mix.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Woody" <billw-9 at msn.com>
To: <arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:43 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Shading Tomatoes


> Is it too early to put shade cloth over tomato plants?
> 
> Bill 
> All contents copyright 2007. Arizona Board of Regents/University of Arizona 
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