Because the temp is cooler and ground very wet, my tomato plants especially are blooming instead of growing taller.
If I pinch out the blossoms will that send nourishment to the roots so the plants will grow taller ? One blooming tomato plant is only about 5 inches tall.
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners concerning your vegetable plants
Typically when you pinch out the center leaves on the growing tips of tomato plants this forces new growth to appear along the stem of the plant, creating dense, compact foliage thus curtailing the overall size of the plant.
There are two types of tomato plants; Determinate tomato plants and Indeterminate tomato plants. Determinate tomato plants grow to a specific height and then stop growing. They range from 12 to 24 inches tall. Light pinching of these plants can be done to maintain shape, but pinching after the buds form poses the risk of pinching out buds and reducing the number of tomatoes on the plant. Indeterminate tomato plants continue to grow throughout the summer until they are killed by frost. These plants continue to form flowers and produce new tomatoes throughout the year. Pinching can be done at any time to keep them under control without worries about removing buds since new growth will produce new buds.
There are a number of reasons why your tomato plants might not be growing. One reason is definitely weather. Tomatoes prefer mild weather, and temperatures that are too low or too high can stunt growth. Another reason is lack of nutrients. Tomatoes need nutrient-rich soil in which to grow. If the soil is devoid of nutrients, the plant will suffer from many problems, including stunted or slowed growth to correct this problem make sure to add a 2- or 3-inch layer of aged compost at the time of planting. Lastly, make sure that your tomato plants are indeterminate and not determinate tomatoes. Determinate plants, unlike indeterminate varieties, only grow to a certain height and put out a specific number of fruit.