Toms and nipping out

[Dorothy rouse]

I should know this really, but when do you start to nip off the side shoots of toms, that need to be pinched out?

[Bigmallly]

I'd leave them till they are about 2-3" as I don't have tweezer fingernails................

[Jungle Jane]

I must have tweezer fingernails,as soon as I see them

[Dorothy rouse]

Better get started then hadn't I !

Thanks

[veggiechicken]

Just say you're letting them grow for armpit cuttings
That's my excuse but I'm happy for you to use it

[vixylix]

Whenever I see them / remember to check!

[Penellype]

As soon as I see them unless I am growing them for armpits or as a 2nd stem from the bottom.

[Scoot]

I'm growing a second main stem on all mine so I will be leaving the first one.

I've took 2 Sungold, 1 Red Pear and 1 Tigerella side shoots to grow on as new plants. Apart from that the rest come off as soon as they look big enough to get a good hold of.

[SusieG]

I'm growing a second main stem on all mine so I will be leaving the first one.

I've took 2 Sungold, 1 Red Pear and 1 Tigerella side shoots to grow on as new plants. Apart from that the rest come off as soon as they look big enough to get a good hold of.

Scoot, you doing the 'U' growing with two main stems, then? Also, is the taking of side shoots a better option than growing loads of plants. Just wondering really - and are they better/stronger done this way?

[Scoot]

I've never grown side shoots before, this is my first year.

Yeah, I'll be growing 2 main stems. Always seem to get more tomatoes growing two main stems.

[SusieG]

I might try that on one or two of mine actually, as a bit of a trial, see what's produced using both methods!

[Snoop Puss]

Oh dear! I pinch all of them off for the first 20 cm, then it depends...

Cherry toms I leave almost all of them on. Others I leave till it gets ridiculous and I can't tie them in. This is what I thought my local mentor told me a few years back. Turns out I misunderstood. Last year he told me that what he meant was leave them on for the first 20 cm or so and then whip off all the rest. But I've got into the habit and can't break it.

[TattyJJ]

As a related question.... How big should the plants be before i start doing things like this? I've a whole bunch of gardeners delight that are about a foot high and are starting to show some little side shoots.

[Bigmallly]

You can take them off straight away Tatty.

[TattyJJ]

Awesome! I wasn't sure if they should be a bit more established before 'modifying' them

Can someone explain the growing an extra side shoot thing please...
Is it more productive, will the plant take up much more space?