Tomato seedlings bloomed before planting in the ground

The laying of buds and single flowers on tomato seedlings during the growing period on the windowsill can cause alarm only for a novice gardener. And those whose experience is calculated more than one year, have in their stock many ways to prevent unwanted flowering.

Why tomato seedlings bloom early

Why tomato seedlings bloom early

Each guide to growing tomatoes at home talks about the optimal characteristics for mature seedlings and the conditions for its maintenance. This:

  • the age of tomato seedlings at the time of planting should not exceed 2-2,5 months;
  • compliance with the regime of illumination and watering;
  • maintaining the desired temperature at each stage of cultivation;
  • compliance with the frequency and quality of top dressing.

Violation of one or more rules leads to stretching of sprouts and the formation of early flowering.

The optimal age of seedlings for transfer to open ground is 60-75 days from emergence. By this time, the tomato bushes should grow to 25-35 cm and have 4-5 pairs of juicy green leaves.

The presence of 1-2 buds or flowers is considered normal. Strong seedlings calmly endure planting in the garden. With proper agricultural technology, the buds will not crumble, the quality and quantity of the crop will not suffer.

Another thing is if the seedlings were grown with a lack of light. In this case, the tomato stalks will stretch out in search of additional lighting, and lie down under their own weight. They will tolerate a change in growth worse. In addition, they will have to be planted at an angle. On the one hand, tomatoes will grow an additional root system, and on the other hand, they will not have enough strength to develop buds and flowers.

The fruiting period will come later than stated by the manufacturer.

Irregular watering, excessive fertilization and high room temperature lead to overgrowth of seedlings and early budding.

What needs to be done to delay flowering

What needs to be done to delay flowering

Overgrown seedlings bring more trouble to the gardener when transplanting into open ground. And when she also begins to lay buds, excitement and anxiety for the quality and quantity of the crop increase.

Reducing the temperature of growing tomato seedlings

Tomatoes are heat-loving plants and actively develop at t = 22-25⁰С on a sunny windowsill. After going through a certain development cycle, plants begin to lay buds. To stop this process, it is necessary to lower the temperature. During the day it should be 16-18⁰С, at night – 13-15⁰С.

Diving seedlings to restrain growth

Diving seedlings to restrain growth

Long-term cultivation of young sprouts in common seedling boxes significantly reduces the quality of seedlings. As the seedlings grow, the leaves close up, making it difficult for air to reach the soil and the plants themselves. Stronger specimens will stretch upwards, leaving no room for the full development of the remaining shoots.

Timely diving of seedlings into individual containers or common boxes, but of a larger volume, delays the development of tomatoes for 5-7 days. And if the gardener understands that he hastened with sowing, then it is recommended to use the double dive method:

  • In the phase of 2-4 true leaves, the sprouts are transplanted into cups with a diameter of 5-6 cm.
  • As the aerial part grows and the root system develops, the sprout will soon become insufficiently allocated space and will need a second dive.
  • The size of the container is increased to 10 cm in diameter.

By the time of planting in a greenhouse or open ground, such seedlings will have a strong stem and a well-developed root system. A transplant will not harm her even if there are buds and flowers.

“Shock therapy” for tomato seedlings

Tomato seedlings bloomed before planting in the ground

When the leaves of nearby plants begin to overlap each other and thereby impair ventilation, they are shortened. Some of the extra leaves are cut off by a third, which puts the plant in a state of stress.

Within 2-4 days, the tomato bush will “come to its senses”, thereby delaying development. After 7-10 days, the procedure can be repeated. Thus, the gardener will win a week of extra time.

For the same purpose, you can completely remove a couple of lower leaves and pour the soil mixture into a pot of tomatoes to grow new roots.

Pruning tomato seedlings

The age of seedlings has reached optimal values ​​- 2-2,5 months – and it’s time to transfer it to open ground. But the weather brought another surprise: a cold snap came in which the young plant could die. What to do?

You can conduct an experiment recommended by experts in the field of growing tomatoes:

  1. Overgrown and budding seedlings are pruned over the second true leaf.
  2. The upper part is placed in a vessel with water for root formation.
  3. The cut of the lower part is treated with crushed charcoal, watered and fertilized.
  4. It would be useful to increase the volume of soil in the planting container. Two lateral shoots will grow from the axils of the leaves, which will bring the gardener a very decent harvest.

The method, of course, is extreme, but it allows you to double the amount of planting material and yield.

When the upper part of the tomato bush gives roots of at least 2-3 cm, it is transplanted into a light and fertile soil. This plant will require more gentle growing conditions and 2-3 weeks of time before planting in open ground.

The use of the drug “Athlete” to curb the growth of tomato seedlings

The use of the drug "Athlete" to curb the growth of tomato seedlings

The main feature of this drug is the ability to regulate growth processes: increase the growth of the root system and restrain the excessive development of the aerial part.

For seedlings of tomatoes, 2 options for using the “Athlete” are possible.

  1. One 1,5 ml ampoule is diluted in 1,5 liters of water and used to spray seedlings. At the same time, the sprouts should have at least 3-4 true leaves. Liquid consumption is 300ml/10m2. The procedure must be carried out at least 3 times with an interval of 5-8 days. The fact is that after a slowdown in the growth of seedlings, after 5-8 days, its activation occurs, and the plant begins to increase its green mass with a vengeance. That is why the 2nd and 3rd treatments are necessary. Spraying should be plentiful, until drops drip from the foliage. The next day, it is recommended to refrain from watering.
  2. For irrigation, the solution is made more concentrated: 1,5 ml / 1 liter of water. Plants are watered under the root at the rate of 30 ml per plant. Do this once and not earlier than after the formation of 3-4 leaves.

The last spraying is carried out no later than 3-5 days before planting seedlings in open ground.

Consequences of early flowering

Consequences of early flowering

The insignificant appearance of buds and flowers will not bring much damage to the gardener. Of course, it all depends on the specific situation.

If tomato bushes are grown in individual containers, and planting in open ground will be carried out by transshipment, then the presence of flowers and even ovaries is permissible. In this case, the time for the plant to adapt to new conditions will increase, and the first fruits will not fully meet the varietal qualities.

It is much worse when overgrown and weak seedlings bloom. She herself needs help with planting, so it’s wiser to cut flowers on such bushes.

It should always be remembered that many varieties of tomatoes have a limited limit of flower clusters and each dangling inflorescence leads to a decrease in yield.

To avoid the sad consequences of early flowering seedlings, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners and then the tomato crop will be generous and of high quality.

Read more in the article: Tomato seedlings have outgrown what to do

Tips from seasoned gardeners

Tips from seasoned gardeners

In order to prevent the overgrowth of tomato seedlings, which inevitably leads to the laying of buds and the beginning of flowering already at home, experienced gardeners recommend adhering to certain rules.

  1. Sowing seeds should not be carried out earlier than 2 months before planting seedlings in open ground. More mature seedlings begin to lay flower brushes.
  2. With a short daylight hours and in cloudy weather, additional illumination is necessary. Having spent once on the purchase of a lamp with a rotating leg, the gardener will save himself from the headache of pulling out the sprouts. It is not necessary to purchase an expensive light bulb with ultraviolet radiation – a fluorescent one will do.
  3. Excessive soil moisture in the planting container should be avoided. Watering is carried out only when the top layer dries up. The need for water procedures may be indicated by a slight loss of turgor by leaf plates. Moderate watering will force the root system to develop more actively and restrain the active growth of the aerial part.
  4. You should be careful with the introduction of dressings. Usually, before sowing seeds, the gardener puts the required amount of mineral fertilizers into the soil, which provides the seedlings with all microelements during the growing period at home. Excess leads to the rapid development of green mass and, as a result, to overgrowth and the beginning of flowering. If it is noticed that the leaves are losing their juiciness of color, feeding should be carried out, but always on moist soil.
  5. The hardening process of home seedlings must be started immediately after the weather is stable and warm. At a temperature of 12-14⁰С, containers with tomato bushes are taken out onto the balcony and the time spent outdoors is gradually increased. This applies not only to overgrown tomatoes with the presence of several buds, but also to “babies”. Cool conditions of keeping allow to restrain the growth of the above-ground part and increase stress resistance when transplanting seedlings into open ground.
  6. It is believed that periodic light stroking of the tops of seedlings for 1 minute leads to a slowdown in the growth of seedlings and prevents them from overgrowing. Not difficult and not expensive, worth a try. There will definitely be no harm.

Tomato seedlings – our main growing mistakes – video

Outside the window, February and gardeners in warm regions are already admiring the first shoots of tomatoes. Stroke her, smile at her and even sing songs, the main thing is that she does not bloom before planting in open ground.

Anna Evans

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