4 Into 1 Does Go!

[Bigmallly]

Ok, this is aimed at any newbies & folk with limited growing space. Just to recap, following on from this thread........... http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ent_81691.html ...........This Tom was grown last year & overwintered, I collected about a dozen sideshoots from it which are growing nicely. I then let a further 4 sideshoots develop & cut out the growing tip. This is the result today:



Each sideshoot is tied to it's own cane & are bearing flowers. All leaves facing the centre have been removed to aid air circulation.......So, basically if you have limited room, it is possible to grow 4 fruit bearing stems from 1 plant. I will post later as to the quality of the fruit......................Ta.

[Thelma Sanders]

Is it a cordon or a bush?
The branch on the left looks to end in flowers, with no upward shoot, making me wonder if it is a bush?

I'll be keeping an eye on this - as I've only done double cordons with any success

[muddled]

I love your experiments BM

[Bigmallly]

Is it a cordon or a bush?
The branch on the left looks to end in flowers, with no upward shoot, making me wonder if it is a bush?

I'll be keeping an eye on this - as I've only done double cordons with any success

I'm ashamed to admit that I don't even know what variety it is Thelma.........the way it grew over winter lends me to believe it is a cordon.

[Bigmallly]

The branch on the left looks to end in flowers, with no upward shoot, making me wonder if it is a bush?

Your observations are indeed correct, that particular stem does end with a truss, the others are developing further shoots............

Here's a close up of the one in question, I was facing the sun hence the poor quality:

[vixylix]

Interesting experiment BM - I look forward to your results!

I've considered doing similar this year and have two cordons in one of my flower buckets as a trial. My only concern is that they won't actually provide any more fruit than just a single cordon (or I suppose a double cordon on a single plant)

[Penellype]

I grow multiple stems from my indoor tomatoes, usually 2 at a time. When one has finished fruiting it is cut down to a suitable sideshoot which then grows on. I get much more fruit this way than I would from 2 or 3 trusses on one stem, which is all my windowsill would allow, height wise.

[maverick451]

Great idea BM

I have a sungold plant which got a bit leggy so I cut the leggy top off and it regrew 4 sideshoots, I was meant to select the strongest one and remove the rest but never got round to.

I have a non gardening friend who loves growing tomatoes but has never got the hang of cutting off the armpits so I think like you have done Im just going to give it to him and let him grow it as a bush and see what happens.

They grow them like that in the US and seem to do ok.

[Lumpy]

I'm lucky to get any stems let alone multiples - a tom whisperer I'm not.

Even my GC bought plants are about to leave the building so well done BM (of course said through gritted teeth).

[Bigmallly]

You shouldn't have much trouble growing Toms Lumpy, you're gonna have to run through how you treat them.

[Lumpy]

OK - seeds planted and then germinate.
Onto living room window ledge - over the rad.
Mirror put behind as the light levels are not too good.
End up very leggy and as dry as a bone.
I water - far too much.
Toms become 6-8 in stalks with 2 little leaves.
Start the above again...............

I over water - don't have the light and am rubbish at toms.

You did ask.

Mind you saying that 3 of my outdoor bush toms have survived being outside for weeks even though they look as if they need the last rites.

[Bigmallly]

When the stalks reach 6", it may pay to plant them deeper up to the 1st set of leaves, this will encourage the stem to produce more roots therefore a stronger plant. Potty often shows pics of Toms that have rooted in water, the same applies when planted deeper.

[Lumpy]

Ta BM a gent as always but I tried that........................nope not having it.

I planted all of my outdoor bush varietities like that and only 3 have survived.

My celeriac however is going great........................be all right if I liked the stuff!

[Bigmallly]

Do you have scope to grow them on undercover?

[Snoop Puss]

Don't take this amiss: have you ever thought of buying in some plants at the time of year when it's OK to plant them outside?

I ask because I don't have much space for growing seeds and it's also quite cold here till relatively late. So for all the usual supposed 'Mediterranean' veg, I grow some varieties of toms from seed, but for my other toms and all my peppers and aubergines, I buy plug plants. This is very common in this area, and in fact the locals think I'm a bit touched for growing anything but lettuce from seed, and even then most of the old boys buy plug plant lettuce. If it's not easy for you to grow things from seed, plug plants could be a solution.