I apologize for the ominous title, but cutting off some of my tomato plant’s flowers was a difficult decision for me to make. You see, I grew this tomato plant from seed. I fertilized it every week, watered it regularly, I bought it a special, really tall pot so it could send it’s roots deep into the soil. I picked off caterpillars and directed lady bugs to eat smaller pests.
I really pampered this tomato plant, and my effort was rewarded with three stems of flowers, with 7-14 flowers each. I was going to have around 30+ tomatoes!
So why in the world would I cut off the flowers? Well, even Southern California’s beautiful weather has its limits. It is cooling down here and I was afraid my beloved tomato plant wouldn’t have enough energy to finish growing all the tomatoes. So I sacrificed a few of the flowers that haven’t yet started to set fruit, so that the plant could concentrate its effort on growing the tomatoes that are already started.
What would I have done with 30+ tomatoes in November anyway?!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
The blooms are so pretty…they look so much bigger than they really are. That’s a smart move, letting your tomato plant send all its energy to the fruit.
I’m definitely going to try this tomato variety you had. Mine didn’t even come close to 30 tomatoes!
Nancy — Knowing that it was the right decision makes me a little less sad that my tomato bounty was reduced.
Louise — They are Roma tomatoes from Botanical Interests.
I had no idea the flowers of a tomato plant would be so pretty.
I really love the photo – its got a great retro feel to it…
Mom — I guess I never looked at them for looks. I was always thinking about what came after the flowers.
Ross — Thanks!
I yes, I had the same dilemma with the tomatillo. My tomato plants are still producing in December! I’m conflicted because I’d like to clear the bed and sow cover crops in prep for spring… I guess I have a decision to make as well.
Adriana — You could always sow cover crops all around your tomatoes. I have tomatoes still on my plants too. They’re taking a long time to mature in the cooler weather.