Premature fruiting

mcsprint71 · December 1, 2009

Hi all,
Anyone have comments on seedlings that have small fruit on them prior to planting out i.e. as the plants are only about 30cm (12"s) high and are bearing fruit.
I didn't get them into the ground as quickly as I would have liked.

Should I cut the fruit off to put more energy into growing leaves, or will the plant continue to grow leaves as well as fruit?

mjc · December 1, 2009

Usually, that indicates they are pot-bound or suffering from some other heavy duty stress.

Yes, pluck the fruit and the next three weeks or so should be devoted entirely to growth...if they haven't been stunted. Plant them as deep as possible...bury them up to the lowest leaves (or even remove a set of leaves).

mcsprint71 · December 1, 2009

Thanks mjc for the confirmation. any other opinions or experience with leaving the fruit on?

mjc · December 1, 2009

It probably won't get very large and you risk permanently stunting the plant...

December 1, 2009	#1
mcsprint71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 15	Premature fruiting Hi all, Anyone have comments on seedlings that have small fruit on them prior to planting out i.e. as the plants are only about 30cm (12"s) high and are bearing fruit. I didn't get them into the ground as quickly as I would have liked. Should I cut the fruit off to put more energy into growing leaves, or will the plant continue to grow leaves as well as fruit?

December 1, 2009	#2
mjc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WV Posts: 603	Usually, that indicates they are pot-bound or suffering from some other heavy duty stress. Yes, pluck the fruit and the next three weeks or so should be devoted entirely to growth...if they haven't been stunted. Plant them as deep as possible...bury them up to the lowest leaves (or even remove a set of leaves).