Brandywine problem

[curly_kate]

Hi all,
I've noticed that my Brandywines have blossoms that are dying before setting fruit. I've never grown heirlooms before, so I'm not sure if there's something I should be doing that I haven't. I'm in zone 5b/6a, and the weather here was unusually cool until about 2 weeks ago, when it shot up to the high 80s/low 90s. We've gotten decent rain.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

It could be from still the cool weather. Night time temps have to be over 60 to actually allow the plant to set fruit.

Also, Brandywines are a late season variety that take a longer time to actually set fruit.

I would give them some time. Have you fertilized them recently or at all?

 

[curly_kate]

I've been using a liquid kelp spray that I last sprayed on them about 2 weeks ago (I think.) Do you think they need more than that? I'll spray them again this weekend.

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

Liquid kelp spray is a great foliar feeder but can pose some drawbacks with lack of nutrients in the soil.

Let me ask, are the flowers forming a fruit then dropping or are just not forming anything?

Honestly, I'd fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost and then wait a few weeks to see how it goes.

 

[theOEGBman]

I wasnt aware that Brandywines were a later producer, so I didnt know what was up with mine either. The blossoms had been dying off like yours as well, but it is finally putting on, and the fruit is huge.

 

[curly_kate]

I've got some fruits here & there, and there are some good blossoms. But the problem ones are just dying before fruiting at all.

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

I've got some fruits here & there, and there are some good blossoms. But the problem ones are just dying before fruiting at all.

In that case, I'm think it may just be the cooler weather.