It’s exciting when you first see those bright yellow flowers popping up on your tomato plants. But if they appear too early in the season, it can spell trouble. Tomato plants flowering prematurely is a common issue for gardeners. In this article, we’ll examine the causes and solutions for early flowering tomatoes.
When Should Tomato Plants Flower?
Tomatoes are a warm season crop They thrive in temperatures between 70-85°F. Most tomato varieties need 50-80 days of warm weather before they begin flowering
The timing depends on factors like:
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Variety – Early maturing tomatoes flower faster than late season ones. Determinate types also bloom sooner than indeterminate.
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Transplant age – Older transplants that were started indoors will flower more quickly than ones just seeded directly outdoors.
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Temperature – Warmer soils and air cause faster growth and flowering.
As a general guideline, tomato plants should be 1-2 feet tall with 6-12 leaves before flowering. This usually occurs 4-8 weeks after transplanting. If blooms appear much sooner, it’s considered early.
Why Are My Tomato Plants Flowering Too Soon?
Premature flowering in tomato plants has several possible causes:
1. Cold Temperatures
Tomatoes thrive in warm conditions. If temperatures drop below 50°F, it can trigger hormone changes that signal the plant to flower and set fruit. This is the plant’s survival mechanism to reproduce before dying in cold conditions. Once temperatures warm up again, flowering and fruit set will resume normally.
2. Old Transplants
As mentioned, older transplants that were started weeks before planting will flower more quickly. Buying started plants from the garden center in early spring runs this risk. Choose young seedlings instead.
3. Insufficient Light
Tomatoes are sun lovers. Without enough sunlight (at least 6 hours per day), the plants can flower prematurely. This often affects indoor or greenhouse tomatoes that lack sufficient lighting.
4. Excess Nitrogen
Heavy fertilizing with nitrogen early on causes abundant foliage growth at the expense of flowers and fruit. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers before blooming.
5. Root Disturbance
Root damage from transplanting or cultivating close to the plant can also trigger early flowering. Be gentle when transplanting and don’t disturb roots once planted.
6. Genetics
Some tomato varieties, especially extra early types, are genetically prone to quick flowering. This isn’t necessarily bad for fast production. Just be sure to choose disease-resistant varieties that can still thrive.
7. Stress
Harsh weather, insect/disease pressure, under/over-watering, and other sources of stress can cause tomatoes to flower and fruit early. Try to control stress factors to avoid premature flowering.
What to Do For Early Flowering Tomato Plants
If your tomato plants are flowering too early, there are a few steps to take:
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Protect from cold – Cover plants or move to a warmer area if frost threatens once flowers appear.
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Provide support – Stake/cage plants to prevent damage to fragile early stems and flowers.
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Avoid excess nitrogen – Prevent abundant leaf growth by switching to a tomato fertilizer when flowering starts.
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** Prune flowers** – Snip off premature flowers to encourage more vegetative growth first.
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Consider smaller varieties – Choose cherry, grape, etc. if stunted growth is likely from early blooms.
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Plant new seeds – If transplants are too far gone, start new seeds for a fall crop.
As long as plants are protected from cold damage once premature flowers appear, the tomato crop can still thrive. Focus efforts on keeping the plants healthy and supported as needed. While early flowering isn’t ideal, the tomato harvest will hopefully be just delayed rather than deterred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my tomato seedlings flowering?
Young tomato seedlings flowering right after emergence is often due to temperature issues. Fluctuating temperatures can confuse the plant and trigger hormonal changes. Keep newly sprouted seeds at a stable 70-80°F until transplanting.
Should I remove flowers on a small tomato plant?
It’s generally advised to pinch off any flowers that form on undersized tomato transplants less than 10 inches tall. This allows them to focus energy on establishment and vegetative growth at first.
What causes buds to fall off tomato plants?
Flowers and buds aborting is primarily caused by stress, improper pollination, or extreme temperatures. Ensure plants have adequate water, nutrients, sunlight, and pollination. Protect from frost and provide shade above 90°F.
Can tomato plants re-flower after frost?
If flower buds and new growth are damaged by frost, the plant will often send up new shoots and re-flower shortly after. Protect plants with coverings to avoid frost damage in the first place when possible.
Why do tomato plants only produce leaves?
Excess nitrogen, low light, over-pruning, and cool temperatures can all cause an abundance of foliage growth without flowers on tomato plants. Allow them time to mature while correcting these issues to encourage flowering.
Conclusion
Tomato plants flowering and setting fruit too early is a common frustration for gardeners. Premature blooms most often result from cold stress, old transplants, or genetics. While not ideal, early flowering tomatoes can still produce if properly cared for and protected. Focus on keeping the plants healthy through proper fertilization, sunlight, temperatures, and gentle handling. And know that the tomato harvest may simply start a little sooner than expected!