One look at the vegetable patch is enough to see the royal blossom of tomatoes. Then you immediately ask yourself: Do I have to remove the first flower on tomatoes and when would be the right time to do it? We have the tips for a rich harvest.
Remove the first flower from tomatoes: This is what you should know about the royal flower
The royal blossom refers to the first flowers that the tomato plants form for the new garden season. Important factors play a decisive role herefor flower formation.
What does the first flower look like on tomatoes?
The tomatoes produce small flowers in the first Y-shaped branch. You cannot confuse the royal flower as it is really the only one on the plant.
When does the royal bloom begin and what factors influence it?
1.When the tomato plant is about 8 to 10 weeks old, it begins to produce flowers. Regardless of whether the plant is still in the nursery pot or has now been planted outside - when it is around 8 weeks old, it will produce its first flowers.
2.Tomatoes in small potsproduce their flowers more quickly than outdoor plants. So if you plan to plant the plants in pots in the garden, then you have to pinch off this first flower. Otherwise, the tomatoes will bear fruit straight away, which will put additional stress on them. As a result, the plants die or the fruits remain small and ripen much more slowly than usual.
3. When the first flowers of each plant appear also depends on the variety. Some early-flowering varieties produce all of their flowers at once. They will all bear fruit over the next few weeks. Other varieties produce flowers gradually and bear fruit several times during the summer. They bloom for the first time later (mid to late May).
4. Weather conditions may encourage earlier royal blooms or slow the appearance of the first flowers.
5. When growing in a greenhouse or on a windowsill, the sowing time plays a crucial role. Since there are no strong temperature fluctuations indoors and the conditions rarely change, the time of the first flowering depends primarily on the age of the plants.
In these cases it is necessary to pinch off the first flower!
When it comes to cutting off the royal blossom, hobby gardeners have different opinions. In some cases this is not necessary, in others it is recommended. Sometimes you just have to do it to secure the harvest.
For premature flowering in the greenhouse
If the young plants have already formed their first flowers before planting them outdoors, they should be removed. This allows the tomato to put its energy into root formation instead. The better a plant has developed its root system, the better it can absorb nutrients through the water in the soil and withstand strong wind and rain.
If there are too few leaves
The tomatoes hardly have any leaves and are starting to produce flowers. This often happens with potted plants - if the volume of soil in the pot is low, the plant's growth stops early. The tomato finds that it can no longer grow and begins producing flowers instead. If you remove the royal flower before it is pollinated, the plant will put its energy into leaf formation. This procedure is recommended when the first flowers appear in the greenhouse and you actually want to plant them in the vegetable patch.
Remove the royal flower: instructions
Actually, it's not much of a challenge: you just have to break out the flowers. Remove the first flower before it opens. In this way you promote the formation of growth hormones, which thenlead to leaf and root formationbecome.
Try to remove the royal flower as early as possible. Otherwise, the plant puts its energy into flower formation for a long time, then needs more time to form leaves and so the harvest time is postponed until autumn.
Do not remove flowers after planting outdoors!
If you have already planted the tomatoes, you can still remove the royal flowers in the first week. However, if more than 14 days pass, please do not pick any more.
If the tomatoes are infected with pests or are sick, then you can also skip cutting off the first flower. This could further weaken the plant. The wound is also an entry point for other pathogens.
Remove the first flower from tomatoes: the most important things summarized
Many hobby gardeners remove the first flower on tomatoes straight away. However, for outdoor plants that are healthy and growing well, this is not necessary.
However, if the tomatoes are in small pots in the greenhouse, then you should definitely cut off the royal blossom or pluck it off with your fingers. This will accelerate root growth and promote leaf formation. This will ensure that the tomato grows well in the garden and will produce abundant yields.
Is this also relevant for peppers? Thefind out here.
