Is it worth keeping my toms?

[Mumbles]

Hi all

I sowed some Tom seeds (various varieties) way back in February. Sowed indoors, nurtured and cared for them- nothing happened so gave up and put the tray outside on my decking. March April time nearly all of them had come up but they were growing slow. With this new found sunshine they seem to be taking off and while they now seen big to me they are still only about 3 inches tall.

Is it worth keeping them going? Will I get any fruit from them, or have they come to life too late?

Thanks

[Greenleaves]

Never too late Mumbles...even if they don't fully ripen sure the culinary grapes have some great chutney recipes.

Go on, give them a go

[Mumbles]

That's good then thanks. I was dreading the answers being to throw them away, not sure I could have out them in the compost!

[Nicos]

might be worth stopping them after a couple of trusses to encourage them to ripen.
Thing is...we never know if we're in for an Indian Summer...and you might have a late bumper crop from them!!

[kathyd]

So... if it's getting too late for toms to ripen, why do people collect the elbows and root them to get a later harvest? My little rooted cuttings are only a couple of inches tall, but I have every faith in them! (fingers crossed!). Mind you, if they do produce a harvest I have no idea how we'll cope with all the tomatoes... !

[Nicos]

I think we live in hope of an Indian summer kathy

[Bill HH]

The rapid growth of tomatoes never ceases to amaze me, last year I was very late planting mine and still had more tomatoes than I could shake a stick at. Limiting the number of trusses may also help.

[Mumbles]

How many do you suggest limiting them to Bill?

[Bill HH]

How many do you suggest limiting them to Bill?

That's what they call a judgement call, two trusses to play safe 4 a little risky and more would be a bigger gamble. me I would see how they grow, if they are leaping ahead go for more trusses. If you're very luck Tomato king will be along and give you his opinion.

[Mumbles]

Ok thanks, I have a few plants so may try different amounts and see what works