Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú

Grow your own  permalink

Tomatoes

• Message 1. 

  Posted by BensGrandad (U7827628) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  I have been away and my son has been watering the tomatoes for me in the greenhouse. Unfiotunatyely he did just that water so there are numerous side shoots that have not been pinched out some are quite thick, is it too late to cut them back. I have watched a clip on a video on the internet about this and this shows them pinching out or cutting back but still dont know if it is too late. If not can I cut off any that do not have flowers or fruit on them. Would this help the others that are bareing fruit. Look forward to some views many thanks

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by bigolob (U14267071) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  It depends on what varieties you are growing. Small varieties can be grown as a bush in a pot or even hanging basket.
  
  Mid size Toms. eg. Moneymaker, Shirley, etc. need all their side shoots removing - those are the `suckers` which grow between the leaf and stem of the plant. These MUST be removed not pinched out as they would grow again. Any suckers with flower buds must also be removed ands no, it is not too late.
  
  After all the suckers have been removed give the plants a feed of Tomato fertilizer. If your plants have many leaves, remove all but 5 of them as the plant will be wasting energy in feeding the leaves instead of the Tomatoes.

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by BensGrandad (U7827628) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  I will do that tomorrow many thanks for your reply.

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  Do not under any circumstances 'remove all the leaves except five'. The tomatoes need them. It is fine to remove the lower leaves as they go yellow, but that is all.

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  If the side shoots have become a bit large then cut out with scissors or pruners-to pinch them may cause stem damage to the main plant.
  
  Moneymaker are an exception-cut close to the soil.
  
  Saves time before throwing them away as tasteless rubbish

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by BensGrandad (U7827628) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  My sons next door neighbour throws the shoots he takes off of his tomatoes onto his lawn as he says it adds nutrients to the lawn and makes the grass much greener, dont know whether or not this is true.

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message6

• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by figrat (U3054696) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  You could take off the side shoots, then pop them in some water until they grow roots, or pot them up straight away as cuttings. They'll grow away, and give you a supplementary crop.

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message7

• Message 8

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by bigolob (U14267071) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  Re Baragwenith`s reply to mine. The latest research in California shows that no more than `3` leaves are necessary for the respiration of Tomatoes once they are cropping.
  
  It is nonesence to suggest that the plants require any more than this - however, I am willing to accept 2 more sets of leaves for the benefit of the plants. I was afterall a Lung Consultant for 43 years!!

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message8

• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  bigolob
  
  LOL. Off topic but I've attended an inquest for past 3 days, the person had died from a disecting iotar. The expert witnesses certainly knew their stuff and if you say a tom plant only needs 3 leaves I'd go with that from a guy with 43 years experience as a lung consultant.
  
  I remember my science classes at school and we started off learning about plants

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message9

• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Thursday, 15th July 2010

  Interesting! Biglob talks of respiration; What about photosynthesis? I thought you were rather unkind to be teasing the OP so!! My mistake obviously when you have so much experience as a Tomato Lung Consultant!!

  Link to this forum: Tomatoes

  Report message10

Back to top