Ok Marcella, before you do the dastardly unforgivable sin, try this on just one of your tomato plants. Add some bonemeal.
Flowering veggies need phosphorus to produce flowers. Bonemeal is an organic source. It is puzzling to me, because I know you bought good soil for the pots, so I would not have expected to do anything except add some compost when the fowers appear.
Still it is worth a try. When did you plant those tomatoes, and what type are they (mortgage lifter etc.)?
“Bonemeal”
I have some Jobe’s tomato spike I haven’t used. Here is what is in them - would this do the same as bonemeal?
Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Water insoluble nitrogen, urea nitrogen
Total nitrogen 6%
Available phosphate 18%
Soluble Potash 6%
If that isn’t it, I’ll get a bag of bonemeal - how do I apply that?
Marcella, you have voiced the frustration that I think every gardener must feel from time to time. I know I have! LOTS!
I planted a cherry tomato in the June/july planting and it is only now starting to blossom. Don’t give up the towel yet! I’ve had some disasters also, but have been examining them as points of personal instruction which my garden angels, fairies and gnomes are giving me! LOL!
While I share the understanding that you do that these lessons are of critical importance, the truth is that this year, by God’s grace, we are not dependent on our garden procedes so we have the luxury of being philosophic.
For example, this year I’ve learned that okra does REALLY well in our yard! The 4 plants are a veritable jungle out there and I’ve given them away and had lots of fresh gumbo. Sunflowers do really well also.
I’ve learned that several other plants would do well, but I need to learn how to handle the pests.
I’ve learned about using rooting hormone. I’ve learned about temperature/shade issues for plants which died after nursing them along during rooting.
I’ve learned about too much phosphorus being a burn agent if used in excess. (I murdered my yellow squash plant with too much phosphorus.) I’ve learned about the joys of just-right fertilization.
I’ve learned so much from your researches. I learned about walking onions, sunchokes, and T squash among other things.
Timing. Seasons for planting...for harvesting...for learning!
All these things were traumatic at moments, but how grateful I am that I’ve been able to increase my learning curve with you and all the participants of this thread! Because of all of you that curve is almost straight up! The other day, Darlin, who has been letting me make my mistakes and approach the learning process in my own way has helped greatly by support and a useful tip and hand given from time to time, actually stated that I’ve learned so very much and is proud of me!
I have more I hope to report later! Gotta go work on a project in which I’m immersed up to the armpits!
I put in bonemeal with my seed potatoes. The dog dug them up. Must have been like doggie crack to her.