Pinching early flowers
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fluffy_gumbo
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- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:30 am
- Location: New Orleans, LA - Zone 9B
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Pinching early flowers
Hope this is the right place to post this question~
I transplanted my tomatoes into their permanent garden spots about 2 weeks ago and some are starting to form flower buds. I have both cherries and slicers, all indeterminate. I started to pinch the flowers off because while the plants are robust and healthy, they are only about 16" tall and I didn't think that they would be able to support fruit at this stage.
Also, it gets hot and humid here pretty early (~May) so I do worry that they might not have time to set fruit and ripen before dwindling in the heat.
What are people's thoughts on pinching flowers? Do it or not? If yes, when should you stop doing it?
I transplanted my tomatoes into their permanent garden spots about 2 weeks ago and some are starting to form flower buds. I have both cherries and slicers, all indeterminate. I started to pinch the flowers off because while the plants are robust and healthy, they are only about 16" tall and I didn't think that they would be able to support fruit at this stage.
Also, it gets hot and humid here pretty early (~May) so I do worry that they might not have time to set fruit and ripen before dwindling in the heat.
What are people's thoughts on pinching flowers? Do it or not? If yes, when should you stop doing it?
Learn, adapt, grow! - Zone 9B
Blog: https://thebigeasygarden.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://thebigeasygarden.wordpress.com/
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worth1
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- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
- Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas
Re: Pinching early flowers
Seen it for myself on smaller plants they get stunted.
Not all the time but sometimes.
Not for sure about cherries but the others yes.
Not all the time but sometimes.
Not for sure about cherries but the others yes.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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worth1
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- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
- Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas
Re: Pinching early flowers
Oh yes I stop around 16 to 17 inches.
That's a bloom not a set tomato that is developing.
I will pinch those off because they set at around ten inches.
This was experienced one out of several plants all the same variety same soil.
The no tomato plants took off the one with a tomato didn't.
Pinched the tomato off and it took off growing too.
That's a bloom not a set tomato that is developing.
I will pinch those off because they set at around ten inches.
This was experienced one out of several plants all the same variety same soil.
The no tomato plants took off the one with a tomato didn't.
Pinched the tomato off and it took off growing too.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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edweather
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- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:22 pm
- Location: Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28
Re: Pinching early flowers
Probably won't hurt, and to each his own, but I just don't do it. Never had a problem just leaving them on. Am also obsessed with getting a tomato asap. 
Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28
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ddsack
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- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:26 pm
- Location: Northern MN - USA
Re: Pinching early flowers
It probably doesn't matter, and may benefit people with long growing seasons. I don't, because I've read that it is two weeks between blossom sets, and with my short summer, I can't afford to put off fruit formation by two additional weeks. I'd rather have fewer, but earlier tomatoes, and just plant more plants to make up for needed volume.