Flower and Fruit Set

solkster · March 12, 2016

Last year was my first using containers. I used 15 gallon containers with ProMix HP and some Black Kow. I had Brandywine and Cherokee that flowered early and heavy on the bottom of the plants. After that fruit set there was little (but some) flowering & fruit the rest of the year. My in-ground plants did not have this 'problem'. I am in Zone 7. Is this normal or how can I get good container flowering through this year.

KarenO · March 12, 2016

Most likely related to temperature. Did it get hot later in the season? Heat greatly affects pollination.
Early fruit in my area tend to be the largest and best quality anyway. Some varieties are better than others at setting fruit in heat and continuing to bloom after a good fruit set.
For some varieties, Once a plant has set a good load of fruit, it figures it has done it's job of seed production I think. Both of those are later varieties, maybe try a few earlier midseason ones for a longer harvest.
Karen O

March 12, 2016	#1
solkster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: PA Posts: 10	Flower and Fruit Set Last year was my first using containers. I used 15 gallon containers with ProMix HP and some Black Kow. I had Brandywine and Cherokee that flowered early and heavy on the bottom of the plants. After that fruit set there was little (but some) flowering & fruit the rest of the year. My in-ground plants did not have this 'problem'. I am in Zone 7. Is this normal or how can I get good container flowering through this year.

March 12, 2016	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	Most likely related to temperature. Did it get hot later in the season? Heat greatly affects pollination. Early fruit in my area tend to be the largest and best quality anyway. Some varieties are better than others at setting fruit in heat and continuing to bloom after a good fruit set. For some varieties, Once a plant has set a good load of fruit, it figures it has done it's job of seed production I think. Both of those are later varieties, maybe try a few earlier midseason ones for a longer harvest. Karen O