bush tomatoes

[jennybain]

Hi - I have 5 bush tomatoes growing for the first time in my greenhouse. They are doing very well and are covered in flowers and small fruits beginning to form. They are only about 15 inches high at the moment and my question is, should I remove some of the flowers/leaves as there seems way too much for a relatively small plant to cope with?

Incidentally, the variety is totem.

Thanks.

[parrot1974]

Hi
Have just googled and this is what I found:
"F1 Totem has been on the market for a number of years but it is still amongst the market leaders in the fast growing area of Patio Tomatoes. Totem is a dwarf, determinate variety that has been bred for growing in packs, pots and containers. Totem flowers very rapidly taking only four to six weeks to produce a saleable plant in flower. It needs little support until the fruit starts to swell when the sheer weight of fruit produced may mean that a stake is needed. The round fruit is crimson in colour when fully ripened, and it lasts well on the plant, making it an ideal subject to pick and use in salads or barbecues. Totem also makes a superb garden Tomato."

So I'd say just leave them on there with plenty of support. What do other people think?

[jennybain]

Looking forward to getting the first ripe tomatoes now! I wondered about trying a couple of plants outside but so far haven't been brave enough to move them out of the greenhouse. Not sure how they would like being outside in Scotland.

[parrot1974]

Ah, I'm opposite end of the country so don't have that problem! If they're doing well in the greenhouse I'd leave them there unless you need the space. I've put my second sowings into a mini greenhouse (with removable shelves) and left the 'door' open, so it's like a half-way house. Might just leave them in there, though. Totem sounds like a good plant - must try that next year. This year it's Costoluto Fiorentino, Amish Paste & Millefleur. Am considering sowing some cherry tomatoes now to see if I can get a harvest before the frosts. Although they are quite late down here!

[JO,JO]

hi grew two of them in the flower border last year.i just let them go i didnt stake them but to keep the fruits of the ground you could do this.lovely stocky plants and lovely tomatoes as well.not growing them this year but am going to grow two next year in the raised beds.

[Claire72]

I ordered the 'hundreds and thousands' tomatoes from the special offer in the GYO mag a while back, I planted mine in pots outside and I also have flowers and tomatoes growing on them. I am a couple of hours further south than you, and we have had very warm weather so not sure whether it would be a good idea to move yours outside.
I wouldn't prick out either as mine came with a 'do not prick out side shoots' warning, so I guess that includes all bush tomatoes

[JO,JO]

my micro tom is outside in a hanging basket and i live in yorkshire brrrrrrr lol
i have got gardeners delight.taminda.gartenpearle.and red brandywine all outside.you get some slug damage on the lower leaves,i have my first tomatoe on my gardeners delight outside yipeee.also got three cucumber plants in the raised beds and they have been outside since may.

[Alison]

I'd leave all the flowers etc as is but provide support where necessary. Had some Red Alert last year which were practically bent double with the weight of their fruit (in the middle of the flower bed) but a few strategically placed supports and they did great - producing a frightening amount of fruit and hopefully will do similarily well this year.

[penny]

I planted bush tomato seeds and have six very definite bush tomatoes with fruit and four plants that have grown very tall like regular tomatoes all from the same packet of seed, should I sideshoot these or just leave them?[with a stake for support]