Month old seedlings growing buds?

12 years ago

I decided to try growing all of my own vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) from seed for the first time this year, instead of buying plants from a nursery. All of my 143 seedlings that were planted a month ago on 3/12, seem to be doing really well.

I noticed today that 2 of my small cherry tomato varieties (Cherry Falls and Tumbler), which are about 6" high, are already starting to grow buds. Obviously, I'll need to cut the buds off since I live in zone 6 and they won't even be transplanted to the garden for at least a month. I'm just curious if this is normal.

Thank you. This site has provided a wealth of information for a newbie like me.

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Comments (3)

seysonn
12 years ago
That is normal.
Few of mine has buds too. sowed mine on 2/27. I even bought an 6" seedling (mortgage Lifter, Bonnis ) it also had buds.

I would just snip it off at the time of plant out.
digdirt2
12 years ago
Once a plant reaches a certain size and age then it is normal for it to start forming buds. Pinch/snip them off. If it gets rootbound in its container or if it is growing in very warm temps they form buds due to stress.

Your plants would appear to have been started too early as the plant in the photo is more than ready to be planted out much less wait another month.

Dave
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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
12 years ago
Early budding is very common with rooted suckers. I see hundreds of open flowers on 4" plants that likely barely have formed roots. I believe there may be stress involved in certain cases but other times the plant is just programmed to start producing fruit.

The picture of your plant bothered me a little. I can't see the growing point on the plant. Did you top the plant or is the growing point obscured?