Which bits of a tom plant to thin ?

[Bagpuss]

Hi guys

Could someone point me to a picture / diagram showing the parts of the tom plant you are meant to cut off in order to help the development of fruits. Although I have grown toms for a couple of years I am still too scared to cut off the wrong parts of the plant ! I thought I would be a devil this year and give it a go, hopefully without killing the plant !

Many thanks in advance

BP

[Nicos]

There are a few threads on this from previous years- BUT....what variety of tomato is it?
If it's a bush as opposed to a cordon, you'll be needing to leave it well alone!! ( yup- I've done it wrong in the past !!!!)

[Nicos]

Have a look at this for now though!

How to prune tomatoes in the UK, with pictures.

[rustylady]

All depends on what sort of tomatoes you're growing. Tell us the variety and we'll give you the answer. For upright/cordon varieties such as Gardners Delight and Sungold which I grow you pinch out the little shoots which grow in the leaf joints. Found this link for you - hope it helps - I haven't read all of it How to prune tomatoes in the UK, with pictures.

[rustylady]

Nicos - you found the same link as me. Isn't Google good.

[Tomatoking]

Here is a link to my blog witha little video, which should give you an idea.
But like Nicos said , make sure it is the type that needs pinching out.

MR TK

Mr Tomato King: Nipping out early shoots and taking cuttings

[Bagpuss]

Hi Nicos - I've had a little trawl through but couldn't find them (I know I have seen them before).

I've got a variety (spice of life and all that). I've got:

Money Maker
Tigrella
Gardeners delight
San Marzano (sp?)
Shirely (I think)
and a beef variety (can't recall the name immediately)

[Nicos]

Isn't Google good.

Wonderful!!!!

Here is a link to my blog witha little video, which should give you an idea.
But like Nicos said , make sure it is the type that needs pinching out.

MR TK

Mr Tomato King: Nipping out early shoots and taking cuttings

Fantastic Mr TK....much easier to copy - thanks!

[Bagpuss]

Sorry peeps, you all posted before I managed to give you the varieties !!! Thanks for the link I'll have a peek after dinner!

[rustylady]

Hi Nicos - I've had a little trawl through but couldn't find them (I know I have seen them before).

I've got a variety (spice of life and all that). I've got:

Money Maker
Tigrella
Gardeners delight
San Marzano (sp?)
Shirely (I think)
and a beef variety (can't recall the name immediately)

They are all cordon varieties, so you need to nip out the bits we said.

[Bagpuss]

Oh flipping heck - not sure I'm feeling brave enough !

[Bagpuss]

Guys, thanks so much for pointing me to those links. Mr TK that blog is great. And the hand drawn piccie with the real photo attached is great too. We've got lots of rain at the mo so I can't get out there tonight, but I might be brave and give it a whirl.

If I get it wrong is it a complete disaster (i.e. death of plant ?)

[Tomatoking]

Oh flipping heck - not sure I'm feeling brave enough !

Go for it, Rusty lady is right, she beat me to it.

[rustylady]

Bagpuss, be brave and do the deed. You will not kill the plant. In fact you will give them a much better chance of producing a worthwhile crop instead of producing lots and lots of stems, flowers and fruit that will come to nothing much. BTW it is much easier to remove the sideshoots (with finger and thumb) when they are only about an inch or so long.

[Nicos]

If any of them are about 3" or more high, don't waste then- stick them deeply into a pot of compost and grow more plants!!

I'm doing this for the first time this year- and I can't believe I've not killed them off!...more free plants ...woo hoo!

Go for it gal- just take the ones you are sure about.
If in doubt leave them and take some piccies- we can direct you!