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Nuisance
of the Week: |
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Fortunately we have
finally had a break in the extreme hot weather. However,
temperatures during our extended hot spell have probably interfered with
tomato fruit set. Normally we see fruit set affected when the
daytime temperatures are above 90 degrees and night temperatures don't
drop below 76 degrees. Under such conditions, flowers dry and fall
off rather than set. Since it takes about 4 weeks for tomatoes to
reach full size, gardeners may not see the effect of this until about a
month after the high temperatures arrived. There isn't much that can
be done for the plants this year except to mulch and water so plants are
as healthy as possible. Next year, however, you might consider
putting out a few Sunmaster or Sun Leaper tomatoes. These are newer
varieties that have the good characteristics of our modern types as well
as the ability to set fruit under more extreme conditions.
Developing fruit are not as sensitive to high temperatures though severe conditions with daytime temperatures above 100° can reduce pigment production (tomatoes remain a pink color) and delay maturation so tomatoes just seem to sit there without ripening. Tomatoes that do not color well can be picked early and allowed to color inside the home. Tomatoes should ripen normally now that we have returned to more seasonal weather.
Nuisance of the Week is brought to
you in cooperation with the Kansas
State University Research & Extension
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