Excessive Heat Stops Tomatoes From Setting Fruit

Story by: Guest Contributor

First posted on 08-17-2007

Current hot summer weather patterns, mixed with dry and hot winds will cause poor fruit set on tomatoes according to John Hobbs, agriculture and rural development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“The threshold seems to be temperatures that remain above 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night and day temperatures that get above 95 degrees,” said Hobbs.

High temperatures interfere with pollen viability and cause excessive style growth leading to a lack of pollination.

“It usually takes about three weeks for tomato flowers to develop into fruit large enough to notice that something is wrong and an additional week before tomatoes are full size and ready to start ripening,” said Hobbs.

The brutal August temperatures being seen in southwest Missouri will cause a tomato drought in the future according to Hobbs.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do about this but wait. Cooler temperatures will allow flowers to resume fruit set,” said Hobbs.

University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything.

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