On Mon, 5 Jun 2006 22:53:23 +0100, "Bob Hobden" wrote
this (or the missive included this):

Tomato plants are either determinate, that's Bush type, where you don't do
any pinching out, or they are indeterminate where you constantly pinch out
any side shoots to increase the length of the main stem. (obvious really)
What sort have you got? ( Clue - Bush tomatoes are rather rare)
Either way you don't pinch out the main stem until you have a good number of
trusses set, if at all.
The only reason to pull off the bottom leaves is to allow the sun to get to
the fruit and help it ripen late in the season.

The fruit do not need direct sunlight to ripen, just warmth.

In Spain they often grow tomatoes in two parallel rows with the stakes
tied together at the tops. All the fruits hang down inside the
plants and are substantially shaded. They ripen very well.

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