Tom tips?

[jackyspratty]

Just read GW mag.
In it advocstes removing sideshoots as discussed many times on here, but in the same edition Toby Buckland also says "splittin is easily stopped by leaving a few side shoots that are normally pinched off to grow. The extra foliage acts as a resevoir, soaking up excess moisture that wuold otherwise be sucked into the fruits causing heir skins to burst"

What do you think?

The reason I ask is that as usual I have discovered a couple of stonking lower side shoots developing flowers! How can I miss them?!

To pinch or leave that is the question! They are very large!About 3 plants have one enormous side shoot each low down!

[Tomatoking]

If I were you, I would remove the side shoots. Splitting of fruit is usually caused by erratic watering.
Suckers and shoots, take energy away from your trusses.

[jackyspratty]

Yes, thats what I thought, I was surprised to read it!
Doh that means yet again I have stonking side shoots producing flowers almost half the height of the plant. Dont know how I manage to miss them!

Might Root them in water and then stick them in the ground see how they do before the blight strikes as I have no more pots left and cant bear to chuck them out!

Fingers crossed Ill get it right next year! I have to be more vigilant

[Flummery]

I'm not impressed with TB's Gardener's World input. I don't think I'd take his advice as gospel.

[jackyspratty]

yes it was odd flum there were two bits of contradictory advise in the same edition!
Think I was just hoping that I wouldnt have snip the huge armpits off!!

[Tomatoking]

Think of it this way Jacky, anyone can grow big shoots, your going to show them how to grow big tomatoes.

[Rocketron]

I don't see the point of removing sideshoots that have flowers on them. You may as well get the extra tomatoes.

[bramble]

I always let my tomato plants grow on, until they split and grow two shoots at least.
This way, you may not have to grow them up to seven or eight trusses before you pinch them out.
Just another opinion, I ma growing toms for the last twenty years and beginning to think, this is the way ti go.

[jackyspratty]

Thats an interesting idea Bramble. I just can't understand why I can't seem to spot the side shoots! They are seriously massive by the time I spot some of them! Found 2 new massive ones agin today!

NOt really sure how many trusses you should get on a plant. Loking at mine they seem to vary a fair bit, is it usual? Am losing confidence in ability to grow toms!