those of you growing Aurora toms

[westwiltspatio]

Just how bushy does it get? I've not grown it before and mine seems to be going ballistic - but then I've only grown cordon types before and so this thing throwing up more fat stems than I can count is a bit bewildering for me.

Is it likely to get much bigger than this? (i.e. will I need to rehome anything else in that planter!)

[Flummery]

According to the huge tom database I often consult, it's indeterminate so you should be pinching out and growing as a cordon. It might be difficult to pull back at this stage though. Never grown it myself.

[zazen999]

Ah yes, Aurora.

I remember last year.

Grow as a cordon - I nipped out pretty much all growths that were not showing flowers - last year it was the earliest tomato and the last to get blight....and I had to grow it up a piece of string that went from the top of the 3 canes that it was tied to - over the walkway and attached to a nail in the brickwork in the back wall. Quite a beast!!!

[teakdesk]

Hummm, just to throw in more confusion, Tatiania's Tomato Base says this about Aurora....

det., small bushy plants, slightly flattened, juicy, flavorful fruits,... large early yields, germinates well at cool temps, grows well in cool outdoor conditions. Named after the Aurora Borealis in Siberia where it originates.


From the picture I wouldn't say you have a "small, bushy plant" so I'd guess you do not have Tatiana's variety!!!!

[westwiltspatio]

Argh. I got it from Real Seeds - who say it's a medium to large bush. (I think I must have blotted out that bit when I popped it in my basket. I was looking for a smaller bush tomato - like the description teakdesk found - although at the time I hadn't really thought through the implications of getting all my tomatoes in a shorter space of time (bush) vs spreading them out more (vine) which I suppose is better for me given my lack of storage space.)

Every growth - no matter how small - is showing flowers or flower buds. There doesn't seem to be a sideshoot on there that is too small to have flower buds. I've taken out most of the bottom leaves to get a bit more air around the base of the plant.

Whether it's cordon or bush, it's certainly a beast.

[zazen999]

But you should get a long harvest - they really do go on for ages.

Mine were also from Real Seeds.

[westwiltspatio]

Do they? Oh good, thanks Zazen! Was a bit at the thought of just a short burst of tomatoey goodness.

Ok, so if yours were from Real Seeds too, then I guess I need to decide how to "cordonify" the beast now that I've let it run wild. I think some of the additional stems have rooted themselves too (they went sideways for a bit, then up).

I guess if I pinch out the weeny sideshoots with just flower buds, that will give it a chance to ripen what it's got? The largest tomato so far is about 2 or 3 inches across, so hopefully won't be too long to ripening.