tomato seedlings: pinch off flowers?
Scott (Long Island, NY--7b)
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
Pinching tomato seedlings
Comments (5)Why? Think of how they grow. First "pinching" of a young seedling and pruning of an established plant aren't the same thing and have different effects on the plant. Whether or not pruning of an established plant is beneficial is a whole other can of worms. ;) Indet. varieties like other vines are woody stem plants with 1 terminal growing/blooming/fruit producing tip. None of the rest of the regular branches will produce fruit. Pinch/cut/break, accidently or on purpose, that terminal tip off, the plant will eventually grow sucker branches (V-stem side shoots) - it does that normally as it matures. These suckers will turn into secondary growing tips and will eventually produce fruit. But just like any secondary stems that sprout from the root, these are secondary not primary stems so they are subject to second-class, support, nutrient/water/supplies and production. They are the exit ramps to the gravel road from the interstate highway so to speak. Sucker branches will produce fruit but it is often smaller and it is later to develop and the weight of the fruit can easily cause the sucker branch to snap off. So why would you want to "terminate" that primary growing tip? Just to get a "bushier plant? If bushy plants are your goal, then grow determinate varieties. Det. varieties have multiple primary stems and terminal growing tips that will produce fruit. Pinch/trim/break one of them off the others will still produce just fine. But pinch or prune off too many of them and you reduce overall production of the plant. Since the point is production of fruit it pays to understand the nature of the variety you are growing. Dave...See MorePinching off tomatoes
Comments (4)I have heard that you should/can pinch off the branches that come off of the main stem in the crotch where the leaf and stem join- to keep the tomatoes larger on the plant. That does follow logic that the plant doesn't burn alot of energy making vine and may put it's energy towards making larger fruit. That works the same for grapes and show quality dahlias amongst other plant fruits and flowers, as I understand it. I think you asked about snipping the flowers though- and not the lateral growth- hmmm- I would hazzard a guess that if the plant puts all it's energy into 1 tomatoe- it may be a whopper- or it might just backfire and the plant might tire itself out trying to make more flowers as it is wont to do- It will be interesting to see what others who know more will have to say about this- Julie...See MoreHelp! Flowers forming on seedlings, pinch out?
Comments (13)I would also remove any and all the buds that appear before plant out and maybe for two week after that . According to some plant scientists, this will direct more energy to root developments. &&&&&& Once all buds and blossoms have been removed that's it, no more will appear until about two weeks later. And I've posted about the blossom cycle here many times, and that two week interval is the blossom cycle. And yes, those two weeks do keep plants in the vegetative stage of new roots, stems and foliage formation, which gives them a chance to mature before the plants go into the sexual cycle of bud and blossom formation. So yes, a diversion of energy compounds from photosynthesis to the vegetative phase, to the sexual stage of the plants. Carolyn...See MoreEarly flowers - pinch off or keep?
Comments (8)Usually my seedlings do not flower while still inside unless they have been sown more than 8 weeks before or if they are early variety (some ). My only plants that flowered inside were Silvery Fir Tree. I practiced/experimented electric tooth brush on one and it took. Now that one is the only one with a tomato about 5 to 6 oz and still getting bigger and the plant has more flowers and buds. Sey...See Moredigdirt2
6 years agoBoris Zakharin
6 years agocaryltoo Z7/SE PA
6 years agojacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
6 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSSummer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes
Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard
Full StoryGARDENING 101How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots
Don’t have much space for a garden? All you need is a sunny spot and a large container to grow this favorite summer crop
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSeeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started
Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESOh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds
Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES20 Favorite Flowers for Butterflies and Bouquets
Discover perennials and annuals that do double duty as butterfly magnets and versatile cut flowers
Full StoryGARDENING 101How to Start a Cut Flower Garden for Beautiful Bouquets All Year
Flower farmer Erin Benzakein shows us how to grow fresh seasonal flowers the most satisfying way: by seed
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSTop Off Your Cocktails With Homegrown Garnishes
Find out how and where to grow popular beverage adornments such as citrus, mint, strawberries and more
Full StoryNATIVE PLANTSAutumn Joy: How to Get 3 Months of Fall Flowers
Enjoy blooms from September to November by mixing 6 asters native to different areas of the U.S.
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESBeautiful Flowers and Foliage From Dedicated Backyard Gardeners
From lawn daisies to topiaries, Houzz users share their backyard beauties
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSThere’s Nothing Cagey About Tomato Cages
Learn about using tomato cages, trellises, stakes and other supports that will help your tomato plants thrive
Full StorySponsored
Scott (Long Island, NY--7b)Original Author