Dumb newbie question -- Should I pinch off some blooms?

14 years ago

Some of stems on my tomato plants have more than 3 or more blooms (flowers) on them. I was wondering if I should pinch off some of these flowers to help the tomato fruits grow more abundantly? (they are not cherry tomatoes) Or, will the stem grow bigger with the tomatoes? What do you guys usually do?

Thanks a bunch!

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Comments (10)

Bets
14 years ago
I think you will find that most people leave all the blossoms on their plants. (Unless they are trying to grow the largest tomatoes for a contest or something.) That way if one gets damaged, you still have the others. Also not every blossom will set fruit.

Yes the stems do thicken as the tomatoes grow. You may occasionally get a broken truss if a big wind comes up or someone accidentally knocks into it.

Bets
spiced_ham
14 years ago
Yes, the truss stem tissue hardens in relation to the weight placed on it. I have had big beefsteak varieties with trusses having over 20 flowers, seven or eight of which grew into fruit. A single truss can easily hold 5-6 lbs of fruit, you just have to make sure that the stem itself is supported (tied off to the stake, leaning against the side of the cage etc.) so that it doesn't buckle, but the weight increase is usually so gradual that the stem adapts (bends over gradually) if it can.
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containerted
14 years ago
Whoever started this krapola about pinching off blossoms must be selling cardboard toms at Walmart. Pinching off blossoms early in the season is totally idiotic and stupid.

Here's a picture of a Liz Burt that developed from a blossom that was only 16 inches above the mix on a plant that will exceed 6 feet. Should I have amputated this one because some idiotic moron wrote that it will be the right thing to do "in the long run"?

HORSE PUCKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want tomatoes, leave the blossoms on the plants.

{{gwi:1342744}}

Ted
tedposey
14 years ago
If you want to grow bigger tomatos you may want to have only one per stem but wait until you see little bulbs before doing so because as Bets said, not all blossoms set fruit.
meltednorthpole
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks a lot guys!! actually one of the stems have 3 tiny tomatoes already but of course I don't know what kind of tomato I planted! :( YEP! what are you going to do with a newbie!
Bets
14 years ago
YEP! what are you going to do with a newbie!

We will answer your questions and convert you to a tomato fan. (grin)

While it seems that many of the people on this forum grow heirlooms, we aren't going to toss you out if you grow hybrids. But most of us will think you are missing out on the fun and satisfaction of growing future generations of your tomatoes (and peppers and other heirlooms & open pollinated veggies and flowers) from seeds that you harvested and saved.

Plus there is the fun of trading and collecting seeds (for the first year that may be buying, borrowing or saving from produce purchased at farmer's markets or other placed that carry NAMED heirloom's.) There are always some pushers growers that are willing to hook help you on heirlooms.

Before too long you will be pushing sharing with other unsuspecting novices.

SCENE 1: The local coffee shop.
Tomato Fan: "Hey want to try some really amazing tomatoes? They are so good. You eat these and you will feel so good. Really, they are so delicious! And they have a history. I have some Brandywine and some Mortgage Lifter seeds. And I can get you some MariannaÂs Peace if you want them, they used to be the most expensive tomato seed in the world!"
Tomato FanÂs table mate: "Well, I suppose I could try one, I do have a sunny spot in my yard that I could put it in.
Tomato Fan: "Yeah, thatÂs great! That is the way I started, with just one heirloom."

SCENE 2: A busy street corner just after last frost.
Tomato Fan: (to man passing by) "Hi! Would you like to by an heirloom tomato plant?"
Man: "No thanks, I donÂt have time or a place for a tomato plant. And if I did, IÂd want a new one, not an old tomato."
Tomato Fan: (Laughs lightly) "Oh, heirlooms are old in their history, but the tomatoes are as fresh as can be when you pick them yourself and so much better than store bought. And they can be grown in biggish pots on your porch or patio, you just have to water them."
Man: "Well, I donÂt knowÂ.."
Tomato Fan: "Try one, youÂll love it! And it will help me out so I can buy some more seed envelopes and Â. Stuff."
Man: "Ok, I will take one."
Tomato Fan: (Giggles to herself and thinks "Another one hooked.")

SCENE 3: Months later in a darkened alley.
Tomato Fan: "Psssst! Hey buddy, yeah, you. Got any heirlooms ta sell or trade?"
Unsuspecting bystander: "Get away from me you crazy gardener!"

Bets
containerted
14 years ago
Bets, there may be another career in your future.

:>)

Ted
meltednorthpole
Original Author
14 years ago
Ted, I thought that IS the other career of Bets!!!??

:)

Jing
loriduvpreston_gmail_com
12 years ago
Bets, I laugh at your story--and its true.
Though I am also a newbie, I want organic and heirloom.

So here's the newbie question-- ready?

Where do I see the seeds to collect in the fall on a tomato?
Also for other veggies- when do carrots, radishes-lettuce, green onions go to seed and what do the seeds look like-- are they in a pod?
Lori
Helen Bielby
3 years ago
Thankyou for that.... I'll leave the blossoms on then.... Have loads on each plant... 🤭🤭🤗🤗🤗🤗

Dumb newbie question -- Should I pinch off some blooms?

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Bets

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Dumb newbie question -- Should I pinch off some blooms?

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