What Temperature Causes Tomato Plants to Shut Down?

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in home gardens due to their versatility, delicious taste, and abundant harvest. However, tomato plants are also susceptible to heat stress, which can cause them to shut down and stop producing fruit. So, what is the ideal temperature range for tomato plants, and at what point do they shut down?

Ideal Temperature Range for Tomato Plants

Tomato plants thrive in warm temperatures and require a consistent temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. These temperatures allow the plant to grow and develop properly, leading to strong roots, healthy leaves, and abundant fruit production.

It is important to note that tomato plants can tolerate slight temperature variations, but any extreme changes can lead to problems. For example, if the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night, tomato plants may experience stunted growth, and if the temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, the plant may become stressed and produce fewer fruits.

Heat Stress in Tomato Plants

Heat stress can occur when the temperature is consistently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. When tomato plants are exposed to these extreme temperatures, they may stop growing and producing fruit, as their energy is redirected to protecting themselves from the heat. The leaves of tomato plants will start to curl or wilt, and the blossoms will fall off instead of setting fruit.

Furthermore, heat stress can also lead to sunscalding, a condition where the fruits develop patches of yellow or white due to exposure to direct sunlight. This condition makes the fruit inedible and unsellable, resulting in a significant loss to farmers and home gardeners.

Preventing Heat Stress in Tomato Plants

To prevent heat stress in tomato plants, it is important to provide them with the proper growing conditions. This includes watering the plants deeply and frequently, providing shade, and keeping the soil moist. Gardeners should also consider mulching around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture and using reflective mulches to protect the fruits from sunscalding.

Additionally, planting tomato plants in a location with partial shade or using structures like shade cloth or umbrellas to protect the plants from the hot sun can also help prevent heat stress. Finally, gardeners should also consider planting heat-tolerant tomato varieties like Celebrity, Park's Whopper, or Phoenix, which are better suited for hot growing conditions.

In Conclusion

Tomato plants can be a rewarding addition to any garden, but they require specific growing conditions to thrive. Heat stress, caused by consistent temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause tomato plants to shut down and stop producing fruit. Gardeners can prevent heat stress by providing proper growing conditions and planting heat-tolerant varieties. By doing so, they can ensure a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy tomatoes all summer long.