Question
Three months ago my girlfriend and I both planted heirloom plants about 6" in height in pots.
Two different scenarios.  I live in the Los Angeles area, about a mile from the ocean.  My plants are automatically watered for 5 minutes every night.  My plants are now 6' tall, flowering but no fruit.

My girlfriend lives inland where it is consistently 10 - 15 degrees hotter and somewhat drier.  She waters every few days.  Her plants are only 2-3' tall and she has started getting fruit.

Both of our crops are being attached by something that is eating the leaves, mostly at the bottom.

Question 1 would be:  is there anything either of us should be doing to change our methods?  Is my plant likely to bear fruit?  I've heard about "shocking" the plant by watering less, is that recommended?

Question 2:  Any idea what is eating the leaves.  I can't see any caterpillers and I thought that tomato worms only came out when there was fruit.

Thank you for your help.  

Answer
Dear Dennis,
If your plants are blooming then I would say it's a pollination problem.  If your plants are not blooming, probably all the nutrients are going to making the plant.  As far as something attacking.  It does sound like a tomato worm.  They are very difficult to see on the plant, but they do attack with or without tomatoes.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
www.eingedi.us