I've got six Tomatillo plants overall, and five of them are thriving and full of fruit! However, there's one plant that's massive with loads of flowers and lots of tiny lanterns, yet not a single fruit. I'm puzzled because they're just two feet away from other productive plants and the branches barely touch. I've considered common issues like pollination problems, but that seems unlikely given their proximity. We've also cut back on nitrogen and are focusing on phosphorus and potassium for all the plants with no improvement. Could it be a case of it only producing male flowers? It's weird since there are little lanterns that eventually drop off. Any insights would be super helpful!
3 Answers
It sounds like a classic pollination issue to me. Tomatillos typically don't have distinct male and female flowers, so the problem might be that this particular plant isn't getting enough pollen from nearby flowers. Sometimes it's the little things like more shade or soil conditions that can throw off one plant compared to others. Have you considered hand pollinating? A simple Q-tip can do wonders! There are some great tutorials on YouTube to guide you.
I’d also suggest posting some photos of your plant for more insights! It’s interesting to see the size and the tiny lanterns. Sometimes others can spot issues you might miss just from a visual perspective.
It might help to ensure it's not just a slight environmental factor affecting that one plant differently. If the bees aren't visiting, you’ve definitely got a good plan with the Q-tip approach. A little extra effort can go a long way, especially when it comes to pollination!
Totally agree! I’ve had to do that with mine when the bees weren't around. It can make a huge difference!