Topic: should i pinch out the tomato flowers?

[Joolieeee]

I have a tom plant but it's tiny, but it's got two sets of tiny flowers appeared.  I've nipped out one, but the other is really near the top and I'm afraid if I nip that out then the plant won't grow any taller. It's a bush variety.  It didn't really do much in the 3" pot, so I decided to plant into the growbag in case the compost in the pot was duff, but it's not really grown much since.  Any ideas? With the growbag and the plant, my trowel stood on it's point is taller - the plant must be about 5". Would spider mite do this?

Thx all

Joolieeee

[davyw1]

Are you saying you were trying to grow the Tomato to full size in a 3" pot.
I Think your problem will have been lack of root space.
If you want to find out if you have Red Spider Mite put your hand into the plant, the mite will jump onto it for the warmth.

[tim]

1. Why take out the flower trusses? They're what you're aiming for?

2. Never heard of RSM on toms at this stage. Or ever, for that matter!

3. Slow growth? What sort of root ball did it have when you transplanted? If little, then don't expect it to suddenly change its ways. Even my tlc indoor ones are being remarkably slow this year.

4. If the bag was moist throughout, DON'T water for a week.

5. Indoors or out?

[Joolieeee]

Thanks Tim and Davyw1
sorry - didn't make myself v clear did i? :-[

I wasn't trying to grow to full size - had from seedling in a 3" pot and it grew to about 3" tall and then didn't seem to do much.  I wondered if the compost was duff, so potted on into a growbag.  It has grown another couple of inches in height, only filled out a bit but has started producing flowers.

I wondered about taking out the flower trusses as the plant is still only 5" tall and quite thin - I thought it would be better for it to put it's energy into continuing to grow up and out, rather than on producing fruit at this stage??

Root ball was just ok - nothing special but there was some roots around the edge of the pot, but not loads.

Indoor plant.

My dad waters the seedlings in the g/h for us in the day, and I suspect it may be too well watered

Going to go and check for spider mite - I have seen some little tiny spiders on my thermometer, which isn't too far away.

Thanks for your help - I'm going to go take a photo and pay my £10!

Joolieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[tim]

I see!

If the plant is really poorly, it just might be sense to take out the trusses - as one does with Cucumbers for the first 12", to boost the stem growth.  Producing flowers at that size may well be the sign of stress. But plants can sit for a week after a move with no sign of life.

Truly don't know.

PS You know that RSM are virtually invisible - & brown?? It's their web that you'll see mostly.

[carolinej]

as one does with Cucumbers for the first 12", to boost the stem growth.

I've got some flowers on my 8 inch cukes. I'd better remove them then :o

cj :)

[tim]

So they say!!

[Joolieeee]

Thx Tim

Didn't know that about RSM - I must have spiders then not spider mite!