Q. We are growing the Celebrity
variety of tomatoes in our garden here in Las Vegas and decided to cover them
this year with a mesh tarp for shade because the sun has scorched them in the
past. However, we noticed the vines are
growing but the tomatoes are not very big and they are not ripening like they
usually do. Are they supposed to have
complete sun? What do you suggest?
variety of tomatoes in our garden here in Las Vegas and decided to cover them
this year with a mesh tarp for shade because the sun has scorched them in the
past. However, we noticed the vines are
growing but the tomatoes are not very big and they are not ripening like they
usually do. Are they supposed to have
complete sun? What do you suggest?
 |
| Providing too much shade causes poor growth and reduced fruit or flower production or none! 30% shade vs 60% shade. |
A. The amount of shade that you provide to tomatoes is
critical for continued production of fruit. Shade cloth is typically
categorized by the percent of shade that it provides. For flowering plants you
should provide no more than 30 to 40% shade or they may stop flowering and
setting fruit. Plants that do not flower can handle more shade, up to about 50
or 60%.
critical for continued production of fruit. Shade cloth is typically
categorized by the percent of shade that it provides. For flowering plants you
should provide no more than 30 to 40% shade or they may stop flowering and
setting fruit. Plants that do not flower can handle more shade, up to about 50
or 60%.
You didn’t tell me what percent shade you are giving
tomatoes but I suspect it’s too much. Light shade, 20 to 40%, is hard to find
locally. Usually you have to order light shade for crops. You can provide shade
by also using lathe instead of shade cloth.
tomatoes but I suspect it’s too much. Light shade, 20 to 40%, is hard to find
locally. Usually you have to order light shade for crops. You can provide shade
by also using lathe instead of shade cloth.
In northern climates we
used to use snow fence. To get 50% shade, remove every other lathe from a solid
ceiling of lathe. To get 25% shade, remove two and leave one. Chain-link fence
with PVC slats gives you about 75% shade. I think you get the picture.