Diagram of tomato seedlings before the first flower cluster appears
This diagram shows the early growth stage of tomatoes. Typically, at the initial stage known as “single-stem training,” the main stem emerging from the cotyledons is selected as the central stem, and excess side shoots are pinched off and trained. This diagram illustrates that early stage. When there are about five true leaves, flowers often have not yet formed. At this stage, most plants are still being grown as seedlings in pots.
Diagram showing the first flower cluster developing before and after tomato planting
This is an illustration of a tomato plant at the stage where the first flower cluster has formed and flowers have bloomed. It is common to complete seedling cultivation around this stage and transplant the plants into the field soil.
The first flower cluster typically forms when the plant has approximately 7 to 8 true leaves.
Illustration showing tomato plants growing and producing up to the third flower cluster
This image shows tomatoes at the stage where true leaves are growing vigorously and the third flower cluster has formed.
Generally, after the first flower cluster, the next cluster forms for every three true leaves.
After pollination, the flowers wilt, and the growth of small green tomatoes begins.
Additionally, side shoots develop between each true leaf and the main stem. The side shoot just below the flower cluster develops strongly and elongates. This indicates that the first side shoot to show noticeable growth will be located directly below the first flower cluster.
How to Use the Diagram: Reference Examples
Below are examples illustrating how the materials in the above diagram might be used. Using schematic diagrams to visualize aspects that words alone cannot fully convey makes the information significantly easier to understand.
Reference Example #1
Reference example using the diagram showing the first flower cluster developing before and after tomato planting.
A red circle has been added to indicate the location of the first flower cluster. To show that the first flower cluster develops when there are 7 to 8 true leaves, the number of true leaves is indicated by counting the leaves above the cotyledons.
Reference Example #2
This is an example using the diagram showing tomato growth up to the third flower cluster.
To indicate that there are three true leaves between the first and second flower clusters, numbers 1 to 3 have been added to the true leaves between those clusters.
Additionally, using the prominent growth of the side shoots below the first flower cluster and below the flower clusters, the side shoots are indicated by circling them with black dots.
