On Sat, 13 May 2006 14:35:34 -0400, Jim Carter
wrote:

On Sat, 13 May 2006 17:30:06 GMT, Sue
wrote:

I'm over here in Los Banos and my tomatoes have suffered from blossom
drop for the last 3 years. I have no idea why. Some say the heat but
they grow commercial tomatoes around here and my first year of growing
them was just great.

I am on the side of those who blame heat. Some of the plant
hardiness zones here in Canada have been changed to reflect
global warming (the last frost date has been moved forward by a
week locally--near Ottawa).

You might try to buy a plant or two that are normally grown in
the deep south and see if these plants are able to set fruit.
Different types of tomatoes are able to tolerate more heat than
others. How are your neighbours' tomatoes?

I assume that anyone I know that grows tomatoes grows the same
varieties that I do, but we've never compared notes. The thing is
that one would think that the tomatoes wouldn't be for sale around
here if they aren't going to grow around here. Of course, Wal*Mart
may not care. I have pretty good luck with the Sweet 100s but what I
like to do is can which requires a lot of the medium or large sized
fruit. My first year I was able to do this. I'm growing the same
varieties - Beefsteak and Celebrity as well as the 100s. I don't have
a lot of space so only have 8 plants. I'm just hoping that things
work out better this year but I sure do have bug problems I've not had
before. Will save that for a separate thread.
Sue


As an aside...

I have a friend who lives in Kenya (right on the equator). There
is only one type of tomato that will grow in the country and that
only at high altitude.

The tomato growing season has already passed for those who live
in Florida.