Reasons Why Potted Cherry Tomatoes' Flower Buds Wilt and How to Fix It

Growing cherry tomatoes? Pay attention! Flowers blooming nicely then suddenly wilting? Most likely it's these 5 causes. Only by pinpointing the problem can you save the fruit. Let me tell you all about it below.

1. Temperature

Below10°C: the pollen tube can't grow, pollination fails, and the flowers gradually wilt.

Above35°C: the petals and stamens simply "age"

Nighttime above20°C: the plant "stays up all night" burning through nutrients, so the flowers have nothing to feed on and wither.

Solution: On hot days, move them to a spot with diffused light; in cold weather, cover them with a plastic bag to keep warm, and remember to ventilate and cool things down at night.

2. Humidity

Humidity too high (>80%): the pollen absorbs water and rots, and the petals even get moldy and decay.

Humidity too low (<40%): the pollen dries out and dies, and the stigma also becomes parched, making pollination impossible.

Solution: When it's dry, mist the area around them (don't spray the flowers themselves); when it's humid, turn on a fan to blow air; those on balconies should place them by the window for more ventilation.

3. Fertilizer

Calcium deficiency/phosphorus/boron: the petal edges wither, the flower stalks become thin and weak, and the plant may not even produce pollen.

Too much nitrogen fertilizer: the leaves grow rampantly and hog the nutrients, and the flowers wither outright from lack of food.

Solution: During the flowering period, apply more monopotassium phosphate (to supplement phosphorus), occasionally spray a boric acid solution, and stop the nitrogen fertilizer right away.

4. Root system

Root rot: the roots have rotted and can't absorb water or nutrients; the flowers wither and the leaves turn yellow too.

Bacterial wilt: the "pipes"in the roots are blocked, the flowers wither especially fast, and the leaves look green yet droop.

Solution: If something seems off, take the plant out of its pot right away to check the roots; trim off the rotted roots and disinfect them, and in serious cases just change the soil and the pot; don't be reluctant to do it.

5. Soil  

Soil compaction: the roots suffocate from lack of oxygen and can't take up nutrients, and the flowers gradually wither.

Overwatering and waterlogging: the roots rot from soaking, and the flowers wither outright.

Solution: Use leaf mold+garden soil+perlite (3:2:1); before watering, feel the potting soil, and water again only when the top 2cm has dried out, and put clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot to prevent waterlogging.

Actually, withered cherry tomato flowers aren't that frightening. First check the temperature and humidity, then the fertilizer and soil, and finally see whether the roots have rotted. When you spot withered flowers, cut them off promptly so they don't waste nutrients; after adjusting your care, new flowers will soon appear.