Trim back toms

[jimfin]

Hi All
Is it right to cut back tom plants. And if so whats the best way to do it.
Thanks

[shirlthegirl43]

Cut back in what way?

[Nicos]

If you mean cutting the mains stem so the plant can develop the fruit(?????)..then you tend to stop them after 4-5 trusses of flowers.

[jimfin]

They are getting tall now and there is some toms developing. But some of the bigger shoots off the main stem have no toms. Should I leave these

[shirlthegirl43]

Do you know which type of toms they are? Some varieties are grown as a 'cordon' which means you nip out the side shoots as they form (you can pot these up to get more plants) and other types are grown as a bush.

[Nicos]

What variety are you growing??....do you know if it's a bush or cordon variety????

If it's a bush- then you leave it alone- if it's a cordon, then you should already have been nipping out the side shoots.
Bit confused- sorry- are you meaning stopping the height or nipping out the sideshoots???
If you know the variety, we can better advise you!

[Chlo]

I to am new to tomato growing & understand you have to nip the growing tips after 5 trusses of flowers have set
Stupid question now which is the growing tip

[shirlthegirl43]

Google Image Result for http://www.taunton.com/CMS/uploadedImages/Images/kitchen_gardener/042027016_xlg.jpg

This page might help with your questions. I don't ever stop my plants unless they are getting too tall for the greenhouse.

[Nicos]

or ..have you already got loads of set fruit and mean this.....???

YouTube - How to Set Up a Low Maintenance Garden : How to Prune a Tomato Plant

( I only do this in September)

[jimfin]

I have 2 Alicante growing. I just want to nip out the sides as I have more room for height.

[chriscross1966]

I have 2 Alicante growing.

For Alicante (a long established "standard") you'd remove all the side shoots (the ones that form in the "V" between a leaf and the main stem), stop out the top of the plant (ie remove the main stem a couple of leaves beyond the truss) at four or five trusses (depends on a number of factors such as how much space you've got and how early/late they were in and even how big you like your tomatos....). Around mid-July it's normal to remove the leaves below the bottom truss to help aeration and prevent mildew. I'd suggest using tomato feed (the dried ones are good value) more frequently than the packet says but at a lower concentration and keep an eye on the watering. A full-grown tomato guzzles water so if you're using grow-bags then some sort of dripper system is very useful..... a cheap method is to push a hozelock dripper into the side of a big plastic bottle and set it up next to the plant..... it's still not a bad idea to water every morning and check every evening too.....

chrisc