Marmande tomatoes - weird flowers

[Pootle]

I'm sure this has been answered elsewhere but I can't seem to find the thread!

I'm growing Marmande for the first time this year and the first flowers are coming out, but instead of the usual and distinctive tomato flower it looks more like a dandelion head...only a couple are on the verge of opening so its a bit too soon to tell whether they're all the same but I guess the question I'm asking is whether this is a feature of the variety or is it something strange that's been thrown up by the plant? If so, should I pick off the weird flowers and pray for 'normal' ones?

Thanks!

[Rich75]

ive had those as well.. but the plants themselves look rather ill so i kind of assumed it was because they weren't well

[Flummery]

Some of the bigger fruited and older varieties do have this almost chysanthemum type flower. It's normal for them. You will get some wierd and wonderful shaped fruits too, often very ridged. This is normal. Panic not!

[Pootle]

Thank you, thank you! I'll leave them be and see what we get...

[gojiberry]

Have not grown them before but have a packet for next year, so will try and remember the info. Thanks.

Ian

[bridget mc laughlin]

I've had some tom flowers like that too

[parrot1974]

I'm growing Costolluto Fiorentino this year and out of 7 plants, 5 of them have produced an extra-large tomato for their first effort, but the main stem is so thick that the first flower that comes off it seems extra-thick too and a funny shape. Hope that makes sense.

[coomber]

The first flower on mine was weird too, I removed it and now the plant has loads of "normal" looking flowers

[shushkin!]

Hi
Yes, I grow Marmande too and they do have distinctive flowers. They are normal
for this type of tomato and will fruit normally. I have grown Marmande for a few
years now.

[jrricko]

I've just eaten my first homegrown marmande for lunch. Delicious!

[Nicos]

My first one is going orange!!!