[colin79ie]

Hi,

The tomato plant in the picture is my only succesfull one so far. This is the first time I have grown veg and would appreciate any advice which can be offered.

My questions are:

1. How do I know when to squeeze out the growing tip? Is it big enough now to do that?

2. I notice some tiny side shoots emerging. Are these to be removed as soon as they appear?

3. How often does it need feeding with Tomato food?

Thanks in advance...

[Michael196]

Squeezing growing tip:

When the plant has reached say 5 trusses ( as you have it indoors), remove the tip at 2 leaves above top truss.

Search for tomaotes on this site, tonnes of information around.

Side Shoots:

side shoots will appear when where the leaf stalk meets the stem, cut or pinch them out when they are 1 inch long.

feeding:

once a week, dont be tempted to not dilute the feed, concentrated tomatoe feed will kill the plant.

[michelle M]

That plant looks impressive compared to mine. I got two in Lidl a few weeks ago. Sorry to butt in, to your question Colin, but what are trusses? Also do plants need to have reached a certain size before using tomato feed?

[Michael196]

hI Michelle

trusses are the 'branches' of the plant. Colin has 8 'branches' if you count the smaller ones at the top.

the trusses will bear the fruit.


I feed at one week interval since the plant was a seedling, careful to feed the soil and not the plant with tomatoe feed.

Mine would not be as big as Colins either, I am at about 8 inchs at the moment.

[michelle M]

Thanks Michael. That makes it all clearer. I got the feed this morning so that should get it growing.

[Michael196]

Folow the instructions for dilution, thats very important

[Garlicbreath]

Some of my tomatoes are about the same size as Colin's now. They're still cluttering up my sitting room window. Two have actually started flowering! A horticultural friend told me recently that if you want to increase the number of plants the side shoots root really easily if stuck into compost. Haven't tried it yet but intend doing so when I have some decent sized shoots.

[colin79ie]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I have 8 trusses (branches?). Should I leave it to grow to the top of the bamboo pole and then squeeze it out?

Incidentally, I grew this from seed. First attempt and I am well pleased!

[Michael196]

hi Garlic breath

If it is starting to flower, then it is ready to plant outside......

[Michael196]

http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about473.html


Check the above link, and read under general care. Squeezing out the tip will stop growth, and promote tomatoe production, however yu do not have teh flower heads yet to indicate that you are about to produce fruit,


sound like , get the flower heads , then pinch off the top ( author says august) . as the plant is peaking.


also plants that are begining to flower are ready for oudroot life. you also need to consider that, however the end of may is the best time for outdoor life ( temperature wise).

[Garlicbreath]

I don't trust the weather enough yet to risk planting out. They seem happy enough in their pots on the window sill (and the chair, and the table...) so I reckon I'll keep them here for another few weeks. until the heatwave arrives

Thanks for the link to the other thread Michael, interesting and informative article. It'd be great to finally get some tomatoes this year!

[Michael196]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingtomatoes1.shtml