Hi gigi - a common question here and the search will pull them up for you if you want to read them. Basically it boils down to your choice - some do, some don't. Personally once transplanted to the garden I let the plant decide if it wants to keep them or not.

Dave

pinch-off-flowers/topic

gigielle, you're not alone. I tend to overthink some garden stuff every growing season...especially pinching first flowers. Didn't do it this year and I bet the transplants will be just fine.

If I am transplanting and see some flower buds forming I'll pinch them off. If they are already planted in the ground then I leave them be.

Rodney

Thanks all. I'm not sure why I didn't just search like I usually do! Duh! I think I will leave them alone and let the plant decide...

I've never researched that. I'm always so excited when I buy a plant with flowers and or fruits or veggies on them. I just let them be to do their thing. I never saw where it caused any harm. The more veggies or tomatoes I get off of a plant the happier I am. I can't stand to eat store bought produce.

Those first flower clusters usually produce some of the biggest fruits.

A plant kind of knows when it's ready to fruit. Probably best not to second-guess it. I agree, though, that if you stress the plant, like transplanting, probably best to discourage fruiting manually until the plant recovers.

Usually my seedlings do not flower while still inside unless they have been sown more than 8 weeks before or if they are early variety (some ).

My only plants that flowered inside were Silvery Fir Tree. I practiced/experimented electric tooth brush on one and it took. Now that one is the only one with a tomato about 5 to 6 oz and still getting bigger and the plant has more flowers and buds.

Sey