Why would tomato plants that are growing fine not produce tomatoes?

Question

Am I over watering? Bad soil? They get PLENTY of California sun?

Answer 1

Too much nitrogen and/or temperatures are too high.

Excess nitrogen will cause plants to grow lots of lush foliage but it makes the plant spend so much energy on foliage that it doesn't create blossoms.  Avoid fertilizing with fresh manure as it is high in nitrogen.

Tomato plants will drop their blossoms when the temperature is above 90 degrees.  Not much you can do about that except hope for cooler temps.  

Tomato blossoms are self-pollinating.  Even a bit of a breeze is enough to pollinate the blossoms.  Most pollination takes place in the morning, so you may want to give the plants a good shake in the mornings to stir up the pollen.  By evening the pollen is rancid and ineffective.  Avoid overhead sprinkling of the plants as this can wash away the pollen, and also cause problems with powdery mildew and blight.

Answer 2

Lack of pollination. Sounds crazy but I had this problem before, you have to artificially pollinate them. Get a qutip or a small make up brush and gently rub from flower to flower. It works really well you will have lots of tomatoes.  

Answer 3

It may be a lack of pollinators but I doubt it. Bees, flies, even butterflies and moths will help to pollinate.

The main reason that tomatoes do not fruit is too much nitrogen. You will get lovely lush foliage, a very healthy plant but no fruit. If you have used a proprietary tomato food it should have enough potassium in it to encourage flower and fruit development, if not, try adding a fertiliser with a higher potassium level. Check this site for information on what to look for on the packet...

http://www.allotment.org.uk/fertilizer/n...

Answer 4

I have gardened for over 40 years and this does happen.  Although it may appear as though you have many bees, butterflies etc around to pollinate properly some years are just that way.  A lot of rain or even just sprinkling the garden rather than watering it in rows will cause lack of pollination.

Any garden supply store should have what is called (TOMATO SET). It comes in a pump spray bottle and use it sparingly.  Spray at the first sign of a flower, look closely as it will be very small.  This works very well, I have had to use it many times over the years.  

If you have a lot of fruit trees in your area that are within 100 feet that could also be the reason why your tomatoes are not getting pollinated.

Just like people, insects may prefer that over the tomatoes.

Answer 5

There is a virus killing honey bees. Little know, this is one of the major catastrophies to face the human race. Drama?...you gonna pollinate a corn filed with a make-up brush.

Anyway, could also be squirels eating them.