tomato pruning

duhickey · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 12

would it be ok to cut off the stem with the yellow x and leave the one with red x as the main stem because there is some flowers on it i think it is a indeterminant type growing indoors

sirpsycho · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 10:46 am Post subject:

I always nip those side stems out until the plant gets to the height I need.

forest flame · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject:

the one with the yellow x is whats known as a truss and these side shoots should be removed

duhickey · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 12

thanks for the replys

michael brenock · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:24 pm Post subject:

the yellow X is a side shoot and should be removed, the truss is the cluster of flowers just above the red X and should not be removed.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

forest flame · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject:

thanks michael
i always thought the truss was the side shoot always learning
cheers

duhickey · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 12

we are all learning but we have a good teacher here in michael brenock thanks for all replys

michael brenock · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject:

thank you for the compliment. Every year this problem crops up and many beginners find it hard to distinguish between a side shoot and a truss. I once met a grower who had removed all the trusses as they emerged and was wondering why no fruit was appearing, The problem does not arise with the spreading non climbing varieties.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

breezyacre · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

On the always learning theme how tall should gardener's delight tomatoes be right now. Mine don't seem to be making any move at all.

michael brenock · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:47 pm Post subject:

that is a very good and hard question. it would depend on when they were sown, when they were transplanted, growing temperatures, fertility of soil and other factors such as presence or absence of pests and diseases. The plants should be about 10 -12 inches (24-39 cms) in height now. If they have plenty light they will be short jointed, less space between trusses. They will be tall and long jointed if light conditions are poor. Advantage of short jointed plants is there is more fruit per foot of stem. Hope this answers the question.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

breezyacre · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 10:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your reply Michael. Mine are just about 10cm tall and look very immature. I sowed the seed in Feb. I think I may go to Homebase tommorrow and buy some plants. We ate lettuce tonight that i planted at the same time as the tomatoes. Am very disappointed as I took more care of the tomatoes than of anything else and they are the slowest and I don't they are doing.