|
|
Post by Spruance on Aug 27, 2006 14:52:45 GMT
Hi all, I've noticed for the past week or so, everytime I open the greenhouses in the morning, there are around 4 or 5, usually green, tomatoes on the floor which have presumably fallen off the trusses overnight. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the fallen fruits and I wondered what could be causing this. It can't be low overnight temperatures, as otherwise the outdoor plants would be the same, or worse. This isn't the first year that this has happened, but I've never had such a knowledgeable (creep, creep  ) crowd to ask about it before. Does anyone have any ideas as to the cause? BTW the tomatoes are generally watered every day unless they obviously don't need it. Also fed weekly on Sundays. It's not the end of the world I know, but if it's due to something I'm doing wrong, I'd like to be able to get to the bottom of it. Spruance |
|
|
|
Post by veggardener on Aug 27, 2006 15:31:26 GMT
Hi Spruance!
When I first read this I have to confess to being slightly puzzled, especially as didn't think that there were any mysteries left for me regarding tomato cultivation.
However, the only thing I can think of is that it may be the early stages of Grey Mould (Botrytis).
Examine the strigs on the fallen tomatoes to see if they are showing any signs of decay.
If this is the problem, it may have been caused by lack of ventilation, humidity, or plants being overcrowded.
I'll be very interested to know exactly what the problem is.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Aug 27, 2006 16:21:32 GMT
Hi Spruance! When I first read this I have to confess to being slightly puzzled, especially as didn't think that there were any mysteries left for me regarding tomato cultivation. However, the only thing I can think of is that it may be the early stages of Grey Mould (Botrytis). Examine the strigs on the fallen tomatoes to see if they are showing any signs of decay. If this is the problem, it may have been caused by lack of ventilation, humidity, or plants being overcrowded. I'll be very interested to know exactly what the problem is. Hi David, Yes, that's a point actually. I have seen some early signs here and there but I thought I had cut away the infected areas on my daily 'patrols'. Perhaps I'd better step it up to twice a day! Of course that would explain why the outdoor plants are unaffected. There may just be a case for overcrowding, but as for ventilatiion I suppose I could open the bottom vents to create a better airflow. I normally just have the door and roof vents open and only usually open the bottom vents when it's a scorching hot day. So not recently! ;D Spruance |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2006 17:27:45 GMT
Aha, that will explain my fallen fruits too, I had put it down to me being extremely clumsy, but now at least I have a technical answer.
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2006 7:19:18 GMT
Of course that would explain why the outdoor plants are unaffected. Spruance Nothing to do with the fact that the outdoor plants are grown in loam then?  |
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Sept 11, 2006 8:51:06 GMT
Of course that would explain why the outdoor plants are unaffected. Spruance Nothing to do with the fact that the outdoor plants are grown in loam then? Hi Rita, What difference does that make? Even the outdoor plants will get grey mould as the season wears on, loam or not. Not usually till late September though. Outdoor ones are still ok at the moment. and only some of the indoor ones have grey mould damage. Spruance |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2006 10:35:18 GMT
I thought I'd heard that Botrytis could be present in compost bins - so if you use home made compost as a growing medium it can/could cause problems  |
|
) crowd to ask about it before.
