How Long Does It Take For Tomatoes To Grow After Flowers? Tomatoes are popular worldwide. As a result, many people are growing them in their home gardens, backyards, and even indoors.
Once you see flowers, you are on your way to harvest tomatoes. But how long does it take for tomatoes to bear fruits once they bloom?
In this article, I will discuss how long it usually takes for my tomatoes to grow after flowers.
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How Long Does It Take Tomatoes To Grow After Flowering?
Small types of tomatoes take about 25 to 30 days to grow. Large tomatoes take about 45 to 60 days to grow after flowering.
Tomato Plant Blooms
Tomato flowers are small and yellow. They consist of the female and male parts. The female part is called the pistil, and the male organ is called the stamen. They can self-pollinate as they contain both sexual organs in each flower.
Growing Your Tomatoes After Flowers
Once tomato plants begin to flower, you can tell they’re not off. Depending on the tomato type, the time the fruit needs to grow post-pollination can take up to 60 days, 25 days at the very least.
Smaller branches of tomatoes take a shorter time to grow, while larger varieties take more time to grow.
The first sign of tomato fruits will be little green balls, but that is not their final appearance. Tomato fruits grow slower for the first 2 to 3 weeks.
During this time, wilt absorbs and stores nutrients to help it grow into the juicy fruit ready for harvest. Therefore, it is essential to be patient.
The tomato fruit grows rapidly for the next three to five weeks after a slow growth rate in the first few weeks. At this point, the tomato fruits are in their mature size.
Some may still be green but will undergo the ripening process to change color.
Once the tomato ripens and reaches its full color, check if it’s firm to the touch and go ahead to pick and enjoy the fruits.
Tomato Flowering
Your tomato plants form small yellow flowers when the vines grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall. Flowering is an indication that the tomatoes are not far off from growth.
It takes about a month for the tomato to flower after you transplant the vine into your garden. Some plants will begin to flower even when the wind is still in the pot.
Tomato flowers self-pollinate as they possess both the male and female parts needed, the stamen and the pistil, respectively.
Therefore, you only need one tomato seedling to get some tomatoes. Apart from self-pollination, bees and the wind also help the tomato pollen move from the stamens to the pistils.
The flower petals of the tomato vine fall off once fertilization occurs. Likewise, flowers that don’t pollinate will eventually wither, die, then fall off.
Tomato Growth
Tomatoes generally do well in warm weather.Research shows tomatoes need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight to grow well.
Moreover, you don’t need much space to cultivate tomatoes. They can fit well in your backyard, home garden, or indoors.
They can also grow well in containers.
Tomatoes are perennial plants, meaning they live for over two years.
Depending on where you live, you can grow them in the warm season here.
Tomatoes are available in hundreds of cultivars. They range in shape, colors, sizes, and time needed to ripen and use in cooking.
One plant can yield about 4 to 6 kg (10 to 15 lbs) of tomatoes.
A tomato seedling germinates for about a week or up to 10 days. After you transplant the seedling, it takes about 45 to over 100 days to be ready for harvest.
How To Help Your Tomatoes Thrive
It’s essential to take good care of your tomato plants even after the flowering stage to ensure you get the best fruits that tomato wine can give.
Grow Tomatoes Under the Right Temperature
Tomatoes need moderate temperatures, not ones that are either too high or too low.
The plant will fail to develop flowers if the temperatures are above 95 degrees during the day or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius) at night.
If your tomatoes flower, they may fail to develop if they don’t have the right temperature.
Tomatoes need six to eight hours of sunlight daily if you have afternoon shade in hot climates, which may prevent flowering and cause a drop in food production.
Water the Tomato Vines Properly
Tomato fruit and flowers need constant moisture to develop. Water your tomato plants in hot weather at least once or twice weekly.
Tomatoes acquire 12 inches of water weekly. One inch of water in a four by 8 Garden bed is equal to 20 gallons.
Check the containers to ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out. Also, it would be best if you had the ground to drain correctly.
Use Fertilizers
Tomatoes require nutrients for growth. You can enrich the soil with a 2-inch layer of well-decomposed or composted manure.
Place the fertilizer into the soil a fortnight before planting the tomatoes. You can also promote fruiting by adding additional phosphorus.
A high phosphorus fertilizer or liquid seaweed are a good source of phosphorus for your tomatoes. Ensure you read the package directions if you use manufactured fertilizers.
Furthermore, you can add one to two shovels of compost around every plant when they flower. You can also help reach the developing fruits by adding a cup of compost tea to every plant weekly.
Protect Your Tomato Plants from Pests
Your tomatoes may be prone to pests, affecting their ability to flower and develop fruits.
Tomato hornworms are a good example; they eat the plant’s leaves, flowers, and fruits. Just remove them by handpicking.
You can use a blast of water to knock off whiteflies and aphids from the plant.
Use soaker hoses to water your tomatoes from below to help prevent fungal diseases. Also, handle the plants only when they’re dry.
Moreover, wash off your hands using soap and water after smoking tobacco to ensure your plans don’t get the tobacco mosaic virus.
Finally, if you have an infected plant, pull them up musically and throw them in the trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my tomatoes be ready for harvest after transplant?
Your tomatoes will be ready for harvest after transplanting them for at least 45 to 100 days.
How long does it take tomato seedlings to germinate?
Germination depends on growing conditions. Tomato seedlings take about seven to ten days to germinate.
Conclusion
Tomatoes are a popular fruit, and people use them in various dishes.
Depending on the size entirely, it takes about 25 to 60 days for your tomatoes to develop after flowering. Smaller tomatoes take 25 to 30 days, while large tomatoes take 45 to 60 days.
It is essential to care for your tomatoes by taking measures such as the right water temperature in the tomatoes, using fertilizer, plants, and controlling pests.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.