Tomatoes and Pollination

June 15, 2017 Author: Ann Clary Nothing But Tomatoes / Organic Gardening: Vegetables / The Mighty Garden Archive

Tomatoes produce perfect flowers that are generally self-pollinating, which means that little effort or concern is usually needed from gardeners for tomato pollination. Gently shaking stems with blossoms once or twice per day may increase pollination.

At cool and hot temperatures, most varieties of tomatoes do not pollinate well and may drop blossoms. For most tomato varieties, nighttime temperatures below about 55°F or above 70°F and daytime temperatures below 70°F will reduce or stop fruit set and may cause blossoms to drop. Periods of heat, such as full days above 85° to 90°F, and as little as a few hours above 100°F, may cause a tomato plant to drop most or all of its blossoms. Gardeners may be successful in mitigating the effect of temperature fluctuations by planting tomatoes in relatively warm locations during periods of cool weather and in relatively cool or partly shady locations during periods of hot weather. Many varieties have been developed or bred to overcome limitations associated with temperature fluctuations. Oregon Spring is a parthenocarpic variety that produces fruit without pollination, and may be a good choice for fruit production during both hot summers and cold winters in many areas.

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