Why Tomato Flowers Drop in Hot Weather and How to Boost Fruit Set with Blossom Set Spray

Memphis-area gardeners (Cordova, TN) have healthy tomato plants with lots of blooms, but the bloom stems droop or break at 90° after a few days. Only 8–10 tomatoes total in the neighborhood. No obvious insect damage; clay soil, rainy spring.

Heat Is the Culprit

Tomatoes and peppers won't set fruit when nights exceed 75°F or days exceed 95°F.

Solution

• Spray open blooms daily with "Blossom Set" (a hormone spray) to artificially set fruit.
• Water deeply but infrequently.
• Avoid Sevin dust—it's highly toxic to pollinators.

The expert notes he lives in Bartlett and manages a garden center in Eads, so he knows the local conditions well.