How to pinch out side shoots?

[Bramble_killer]

And more importantly what is a side shoot?

What is a truss?

It's my first year looking after my tomatoes and some of them are really big already, don't want to miss all the important stuff of caring for them.

When do I start feeding them?

Wow, sorry for the stupid questions

(I've got about 10-15 more crops so I hope you're all prepared )

[Digger-07]

You will see the difference when they come, a side shoot forms between the leaf and the main stem, a truss forms from the main stem away from a leaf.
Feed in the greenhouse when the first truss has toms about the size of a pea, outside wait until the second truss has set.

PS to remove the side shoot just break it off at the stem as soon as you can get hold of it. Dont go anywhere near the top of the plant as sometimes it is best to see which way it is going to be the strongest before stopping the top.

[BumbleB]

Hi Bramble Killer (I could do with you in my garden)

I am quite a newbie to crop growing but I have grown toms before.
You will see side shoots growing in the 'elbow' of the tomato branches. If left the plant becomes all branches and leaves. You need to nip out these side shoots (you'll get loads) in order for the plant to concentrate on putting growth into the main branches.

You will then get your truss which is the clump of flowers ready fro fruit, and you need to limit these so that the plant can concentrate on energy for fruits.

Later on, most of the leaves are removed to allow light through and to help with ripening the fruit.

I have probably not explained too well but I am sure more experienced grapes will explain further for you.

Its great that questions are asked as we all benefit from the answers.

[TracyP]

Hi
There are no stupid questions! I know it's confusing , I was the same.

There is one main stem. Out of that, at almost right angles grow the leaves. The sideshoots come of of the join between the leaves and the main stem. Just nip them out with your fingers when you see them.

A truss is a stem or vine from which the tomatoes grow (like the toms on the vine you see in the shops) - the flowers form first then the tomatoes come after them

You start feeding them when the first flowers/fruit come. Be careful to water regulary too i.e no drought then overwatering, I made this mistake in my first year.

Tracy

[onefivenine]

Do you pinch out side shoots on basket types like Tumbling Toms and 100s and 1000s?

[TracyP]

No, these are bush varieties, so just chuck them into the basket once they flower and bob's yer uncle

[onefivenine]

No, these are bush varieties, so just chuck them into the basket once they flower and bob's yer uncle

Thanks very much Tracy