What to Consider When Deciding Whether To Remove Fused Blooms From Your Tomatoes
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Fused blooms are a common occurrence in tomato plants and can be caused by a variety of factors. They occur when two or more flowers fuse together, resulting in an abnormally large fruit. Some gardeners prefer to remove these fused blooms, while others choose to leave them on the plant and see what happens.
When it comes to deciding whether or not to remove fused blooms, there is no right or wrong answer. It ultimately depends on your individual preferences and goals for your garden. If you're growing tomatoes for market sales or donations, then you may want to remove any fused blooms as they don't look as aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, if you're just looking for delicious homegrown tomatoes, then leaving the fused blooms on could be beneficial.
It's important to remember that bees are attracted to mega blossoms, so if you're saving unbagged seed then you may have more chance of an unwanted cross. Bagging would help with this issue. Additionally, some people believe that record-breaking giant tomatoes come from fused blooms, so leaving them on could potentially result in a larger harvest.
In terms of energy usage, some gardeners report that a mega bloom seems to take up too much energy from the plant and causes other fruits to be neglected. This means that removing the fused blossom could allow for more consistent fruit development across the entire plant. Ultimately, it's all about personal preference and what works best for your particular situation and climate.
No matter which approach you decide to take, it's always good practice to trim off any inedible parts of the tomato before consuming it. Fused blooms may look strange but they still contain plenty of flesh that can be used in salads or salsas - just make sure you discard any parts that aren't safe to eat!
What are mega blooms?
Mega blooms are tomato blossoms that have fused together, resulting in a larger than normal fruit. They can be found lower down on the stem and may not be noticed due to the foliage.
Should I remove mega blooms from my tomato plants?
It is a personal choice. If you are growing for farmer's market sales or plan to donate to a food pantry, it is best to remove them as folks there look for a perfect handsome tomato. If you don't need your fruit to be perfectly formed, some catfacing and bulging doesn't bother you, then you can trim off the inedible parts and keep the rest of the flesh for a salad or fresh salsa. Removing mega blooms may also help prevent unwanted cross pollination if you save unbagged seed.
Is it okay to leave mega blooms on my tomato plant?
Yes, it is okay to leave them on. Record giant tomatoes seem to come from fused blooms, so leaving them on could result in bigger tomatoes. However, mega blooms may take too much energy from the plant, resulting in other fruits being neglected.
How do I know if I should remove a mega bloom?
If the bloom is severely malformed, it is best to remove it. Otherwise, you can let it be and see what happens. If the bloom is healthy, it may produce a large tomato. If it is not healthy, it will likely drop off on its own.
What should I do with the mega blooms I remove?
You can compost them or discard them in the trash. If you are feeling creative, you can use them for decorations. Cut the fused blooms into shapes and use them to make jewelry or other crafts. You can also use them to make a unique tomato sauce.