Pruning Tomatoes

[pentex]

This year, I read somewhere that to redirect energy to your flowers, to prune off the suckers from the lower part of your tomato plants. I did this but none of my flowers set at all. Lots of flowers, no fruit.

Did I do something wrong?

 

[Mamu]

This is not a pruning problem. It's a pollination problem.

For some reason your flowers were not being polinated. Maybe there are no bee's. I would recommend you add flowers to the area where you have your tomatoes.

For flowers to set fruit they must be pollinated.

 

[pentex]

Hi Mamu,

Thanks for answering....

Do you recommend a particular type of flower?

We did have marigolds around there but the marigolds grew HUGE and almost grew as high as the tomato plants...could that be a problem maybe cause bees went to the marigolds instead?

Thanks,
Joan

 

[Snowwark]

Pentex, here's some more info on the benefits of bees and what to plant to attract them.

The Benefits of Bees

Nothing happens in the vegetable garden without pollination. Dr. John Skinner of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service offers suggestions on inviting bees into your garden to get the most from your vegetable plants. To begin with, avoid the use of pesticides, which kill beneficial insects such as bees along with harmful ones.

Bees move pollen from flower to flower so vegetables and fruits can grow and develop. Commercial growers actually import bees to pollinate their crops. And, of course, bees also produce honey -- another possible benefit to inviting them into your garden.

To attract bees, plant colorful flowers in groups and plant sweet-smelling herbs such as basil among your vegetable crops. Plant fennel to attract beneficial insects and provide nectar for the bees.

Bees in the garden won't bother you unless you surprise them. If you're worried about being stung, avoid making sudden movements, and don't wear perfume or bright colors.