Can anyone explain to me how to pinch out tomatoes to make them bushier please? I'm new to growing my own and don't know where abouts I should be doing it - in some detail if poss please!
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''Pinching'' out Tomatoes
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I will watch this thread with interest, my toms are getting quite big nowConsider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over
here, looking through your stuff.
http://mustardveggie.blogspot.com/
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When the tomato grows up straight there is always a leading shoot that is going to grow higher and higher.
If you take this shoot and pinch it out " ie, take it right out " then that is what is called, pinching out.
This makes the tomato plant throw out side shoots rather than growing taller.
Don't know if i have explained it well enough but maybe someone else can explain it better.
And when your back stops aching,
And your hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.
Rudyard Kipling.sigpic
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There are only certain types of tomato that you really need to prune and these are Intermediate types or cordon or upright, and to do this you remove the side shoots, these grow between the stem and a truss (these side shoots are typically at a 45 degree or so angle), just pinch them out with your finger.
For other types of tomato you could remove yellow or decaying material and later on in the season you could remove some material to provide more light (and airflow)
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Originally posted by TEB View PostThere are only certain types of tomato that you really need to prune and these are Intermediate types or cordon or upright, and to do this you remove the side shoots, these grow between the stem and a truss (these side shoots are typically at a 45 degree or so angle), just pinch them out with your finger.
For other types of tomato you could remove yellow or decaying material and later on in the season you could remove some material to provide more light (and airflow)
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Do they ever grow any more flowers lower down?, or do they only add flowers as they go upward?Living off grid and growing my own food in Bulgaria.....
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For cordon varieties it is important to be vigillant and pinch all side shoots out otherwise you end up with a sprawling messy plant which ultimately collapses with the weight of fruit (as mentioned in the excellent link posted by Duronal). Even so called bush tomatoes which you just let grow will need support and trimming unless you want most of the produce on the ground as slug food.
Those like TEB who grow to 8 trusses must have monster high plants. Six is my maximum.
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Originally posted by tamsin View PostMy tomato is as tall as me and only has one set of flowers. I'm going to need a ladder to take out the top by the time it has half a dozen
Where are you and how tall are you - if the tomato is indoors it sounds well and truly forced and should be pinched out now if it's that tall. One of the reasons you only have one truss so far is the plant is putting all its energy into growing upwards and little into setting fruit.TonyF, Dordogne 24220
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