Hi everyone ,
Could use some experienced advise here ......... my tomato plants have their first blooms and my MIL and myself were debating about pinching the first blooms in order for the plant to get larger in size before bearing fruit.
Has anyone heard of this or done this?
Thanks, james t
First blooms on Tomato plant?
At this point, I would NOT touch any blooms. I think the best fruitset on tomatoes in S.E. Texas happens in late March, early April. This is based on 3 years experience, so take that how you will. :)
Now on the other hand, I *will* pinch off the first few peppers on my pepper plants to get a better flush of peppers later on. But since tomatoes can continually grow vegetatively and set blossoms and fruit and ripen fruit all at the same time, I just let them go.
How big are these plants? Mine were 10-14" tall when I put them in. I planted them as deep as possible, so only 3-5" were sticking above the soil. All of them are about 12-18" tall now. I would say I am about a week behind last year, just looking at the plants.
I don't remove blooms either. Some do, but because of the short window of time we can frequently have for fruitset in Texas, I really do prefer to leave them on.
Agreement -- it gets too hot too quickly here!