Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until they are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond the fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Phil

In article , Pen Phill
writes
Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until they are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond the fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Phil
Taking off those additional shoots is more or less optional depending on
your style of plant management and cropping requirements. We take ours
off because we feel that 5 trusses is enough for the plant to do and the
extra fruits would come at a time of glut and after we have frozen all
we wish to.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

iljunk (Pen Phill) wrote in message ...
Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until they are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond the fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Yes, I would; and breaking them out carefully works better for me than
cutting, as one's less likely to leave a potential replacement shoot
lurking.

Mike.

"Pen Phill" wrote in message
...
Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until they
are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in
some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond the
fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Phil

Yes, I take them off.

Incidentally, when I nip out a side shoot thats grown to more than a couple
of inches then I stick it in a jar of water. Within a week or so it's grown
roots, so I pot them on and plant them out as soon as established.

I'm currently awaiting the results of this, but if it ends up with free tom
plants and hence toms for me, then I'm all for that...



--
Richard Sampson

email me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

Yes. RUB OFF all side shoots wherever they are. Do it early as soon a
you spot the tiny growths. In that way you will not need to cut the
plant and thereby cause damage which may not heal and consequently
become diseased.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.





"Pen Phill" wrote in message
...
Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until
they are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in
some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond
the fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Phil

In message , RichardS
writes
"Pen Phill" wrote in message
...
Hi all
I usually pull or cut off the side shoots on my tomato plants until they
are
about 5 trusses high at which point I nip out the growing tops but in
some
varieties the ends of the trusses themselves start to shoot beyond the
fruit
forming further branches if left.. Should I cut these off as well?

Phil

Yes, I take them off.

Incidentally, when I nip out a side shoot thats grown to more than a couple
of inches then I stick it in a jar of water. Within a week or so it's grown
roots, so I pot them on and plant them out as soon as established.

I'm currently awaiting the results of this, but if it ends up with free tom
plants and hence toms for me, then I'm all for that...


I've just tried this after I've come back from a few days holiday and
found that a small side shoot I missed, is now a large side shoot I
can't fail to miss!

It got me thinking though. I've never grown Toms before, and it looks to
me like side shoots just keep on coming. In theory, what's to stop me
taking these shoots near the end of the season and growing them indoors?
Are varieties like Gardeners Delight happy indoors? I don't think I have
a very good spot for them inside (no conservatory yet) but they would be
in a warm spot with limited sun.

Ta

--
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
http://www.toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk
BONY#38

Hi all

Thanks for the replies. I'll take them out then.

Incidently, I wouldn't bother taking cuttings like somebody suggested. My
greenhouse is full of plantlets growing from last years fallen fruit. If
anything can be said to grow like weeds it's tomatoes! I am regularly "weeding"
all my flower pots and balconierres as the little beggars are constantly
appearing there as well. This because I make my own compost (where the old
plants end up), and although it is normally at least two years old when I use
it, the jolly old toms still put in an appearence!

Phil