[breezyacre]

Hi I have noticed that I have some very strong shoots growing at the base of my tumbler tomato plants. I think they are suckers, this is probably the wrong term, and need to be nipped out. They do not look like the other shoots as they are growing straight out and not tumbling like the other shoots. I can get a pic but maybe someone will recognise what I am talking about without a photo. They have also made very fast growth, much faster than any of the other shoots. Will I nip or not?

[Belfast]

No to Niping.

tumbler tomato do not need side shoot removed. They are for hanging baskets and are meant to hang down.

"Growing Instructions. Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on in cooler, well lit conditions. Soil based composts produce shorter plants than peat based composts. For hanging baskets, plant carefully one per 30cm (12in) basket leaving a 3cm (1in) space for watering. Water well and stand in a cool, airy place until well rooted. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before hanging outside permanently after all risk of frost. Feed regularly and keep well watered. If planted outdoors, space 60cm (24in) apart in moist, well drained, fertile soil and a sunny spot. This variety needs no side shooting."
http://www.bucknur.com/acatalog/product_19264.html

[breezyacre]

No these are for training upwards and bear cherry tomatoes and they do require pinching out. You can now see the strong shoots at the base of the plant.

[michael brenock]

these shoots should be left as they are. the variety can be grown either in a hanging basket or grown in beds and the shoots allowed to spread. Only upright growing types (older types like Moneymaker) should be side shooted. they require much wider spacing than the older varieties.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[michael brenock]

i have seen pictures. leave shoots on and they should crop ok
michael brenock

[breezyacre]

Don't doubt you for a second Michael but it seems strange that these shoots are now developing flowers later than the trusses above them ie. I have fruit already developing above shoots that are just about to develop flowers. It seems an uneven developement .

[michael brenock]

if that variety was bought as a spreading rather than an upright type then it would be quite normal for the lateral shoots to produce blossoms later than those on the main stem. In this way there will be a succession of blossoms and a succession of fruits rather than all coming together at one time. Overall you will get the same quantity of fruit whichever system you follow.
hope this clarifies the situation.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[breezyacre]

Thanks for your continued interest Michael. I bought them to train them upwards and in truth have probably spaced them to do that. In the light of that would I be as well to continue to train them up the bamboos. Will shoots at base inhibit upward growth and fruit on trusses above or does it matter.?

[michael brenock]

if you take off those side shoots even if they are producing blossom the growth will be diverted into the upper growing points. the plant will have wasted energy in the production of these shoots but you have control over the plant and you determine what shape the plant should be. Some of these varieties were bred to produce a good crop and the shape may have been a secondary consideration. the shape may have been a bonus also as most people do not like the chore of staking and tying up tomato plants
michael brenock

[breezyacre]

Thanks for all the input Michael. Though my father grew tomatoes for years I had no idea about determinate and indeterminate varieties.

[Liparis]

I'm trying to work out how we ended p with a thread on tomatoes in the forum for roses
Maybe side-tracked with the shoot issue?
Bill.

[James Kilkelly]