Pick flowers, or not

hornstrider · March 23, 2015

I have a number of heirloom tomato plants that I planted approx two weekes ago. They are approx 15" tall, and a number of plants have flowers already ( Indian Stripe, Cherokee Purple, C Special Tex, Earl). Should I pick the flowers, or let them be. They are thick stemmed, healthy plants I planted from seed. I have read advice both ways. I have picked the flowers in the past.

KarenO · March 23, 2015

why would you pick them? they will be your first fruits.

KarenO

Gardeneer · March 23, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by hornstrider

I have a number of heirloom tomato plants that I planted approx two weekes ago. They are approx 15" tall, and a number of plants have flowers already ( Indian Stripe, Cherokee Purple, C Special Tex, Earl). Should I pick the flowers, or let them be. They are thick stemmed, healthy plants I planted from seed. I have read advice both ways. I have picked the flowers in the past.

As you have described and considering your location, I would leave the flowers on and let them fruits.

If thery were still inside, I would remove the flowers.

Stvrob · March 23, 2015

If you pick the flowers they won't grow fruit, leaving one to wonder, whats the purpose of life?

March 23, 2015

I have heard about picking the first flowers to keep the plant growing good before entering full bloom mode. I haven't gotten enough experience to say if it is a good practice. If it was a small plant, I might try it. If the plants are healthy and strong, I would let them go. My CP have flower and I have no intentions of picking them.

Gardeneer · March 23, 2015

Opinions are honored.
In my opinion, plants will grow no mater what. Then why not enjoy some early fruits ?
I am growing couple of varieties that will set fruits in cool spring weather here in PNW (siletz and Legend). I would welcome any variety that does that

Worth1 · March 23, 2015

15 inches, no way.
Those plants can do everything they need to do just feed and water them.

Worth

hornstrider · March 24, 2015

OK...........I won't pick the flowers. Thanks for the advice.

creister · March 24, 2015

I was debating this myself, but my plants aren't that tall. They have a good spread and have been in the ground for 10 days. I usually try to go two weeks or two feet tall.

SharonRossy · March 25, 2015

I learned my lesson from last year. I picked the flowers and regretted it. If I'm lucky enough to have them flower at that height, I'm leaving them alone!

shatbox · March 26, 2015

Does it get hot where you live or is it mild in the spring? Saving seeds is important to me so when I only get a few fruit before its too hot for reproduction I don't pinch.

March 23, 2015	#1
hornstrider Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hutto, Texas Posts: 230	Pick flowers, or not I have a number of heirloom tomato plants that I planted approx two weekes ago. They are approx 15" tall, and a number of plants have flowers already ( Indian Stripe, Cherokee Purple, C Special Tex, Earl). Should I pick the flowers, or let them be. They are thick stemmed, healthy plants I planted from seed. I have read advice both ways. I have picked the flowers in the past.

March 23, 2015	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,929	why would you pick them? they will be your first fruits. KarenO

March 23, 2015	#4
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	If you pick the flowers they won't grow fruit, leaving one to wonder, whats the purpose of life?

March 23, 2015	#5
eltex Guest Posts: n/a	I have heard about picking the first flowers to keep the plant growing good before entering full bloom mode. I haven't gotten enough experience to say if it is a good practice. If it was a small plant, I might try it. If the plants are healthy and strong, I would let them go. My CP have flower and I have no intentions of picking them.

March 23, 2015	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Opinions are honored. In my opinion, plants will grow no mater what. Then why not enjoy some early fruits ? I am growing couple of varieties that will set fruits in cool spring weather here in PNW (siletz and Legend). I would welcome any variety that does that

March 23, 2015	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	15 inches, no way. Those plants can do everything they need to do just feed and water them. Worth

March 24, 2015	#8
hornstrider Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hutto, Texas Posts: 230	OK...........I won't pick the flowers. Thanks for the advice.

March 24, 2015	#9
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I was debating this myself, but my plants aren't that tall. They have a good spread and have been in the ground for 10 days. I usually try to go two weeks or two feet tall.

March 25, 2015	#10
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	I learned my lesson from last year. I picked the flowers and regretted it. If I'm lucky enough to have them flower at that height, I'm leaving them alone!

March 26, 2015	#11
shatbox Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles County, CA Posts: 258	Does it get hot where you live or is it mild in the spring? Saving seeds is important to me so when I only get a few fruit before its too hot for reproduction I don't pinch.