8 inch tall tomato seedlings getting flowers--too early?

hlfritz 4/1/2013, 3:43 pm

My tomato seedlings are about 6 weeks old and, overall, they look great. They are about 8 inches, stocky, and have good color. About half of them, the heirloom plants, are beginning to develop flower buds. My growing conditions inside--I thought--were optimal. They have been repotted into 6 inch containers with a rich soil mix and are 2-3 inches under T5 light bulbs that are on 16 hours a day. The ambient temperature in the room is 70 degrees, and probably a little higher directly under the lights. Why are they starting to get buds so early? Do I need to pick them off? One person I spoke with said that they get flowers so early when they are stressed, but I can't think of what that might be. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

**camprn** 4/1/2013, 4:40 pm

Sounds like you have some healthy plants there, but you need to get them in the ground ASAP. Yes, small plants go to premature flower when they are stressed. Pinch the blooms and any flower buds off until the plants are well established in their permanent location in the garden.


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8 inch tall tomato seedlings getting flowers--too early?

8 inch tall tomato seedlings getting flowers--too early?

Re: 8 inch tall tomato seedlings getting flowers--too early?