Question about pinching out tomatoes

[Beachwalker]

I've been pinching out the side shoots on my tomatoes but one variety appears to now be growing 2 main shoots. Both of which are flowering. The variety is Marmande. Do I leave both shoots or should I be removing one?

[nickdub]

I've been pinching out the side shoots on my tomatoes but one variety appears to now be growing 2 main shoots. Both of which are flowering. The variety is Marmande. Do I leave both shoots or should I be removing one?

Personally I'd leave them both on, but others would take one out. It has to be said that I'm generally pretty untidy and often my row of tomatoes will look more like a hedge at the end of the season - I usually get plenty of fruit though. ;-)

If you go the two shoots route you will need to provide extra support for one of them, as otherwise the weight of fruit will rip the plant apart eventually.

[Beachwalker]

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking I should probably leave them as they are quite thick stems to be cutting out. They are tied to bean poles but I think I might brace the top of the poles to stop them falling over.

[nickdub]

You're very welcome - I just mentioned the support as sometimes people use canes or strings, and if that applied, then with either of those methods you are going to need an extra support for each stem left.

[Beachwalker]

After replying I re-read your post and realised you meant to support the second stem. I was trying to edit my reply but it wouldn't save. Thanks again.

[1Bee]

Marmande often seems to branch, it's a characteristic of the variety, I think. Just support 'em well.

[Jonnyt]

According to my seeds they should be grown as a bush, which is what I've done with them!

[burnie]

Welcome Beachwalker(something I do a lot of), I used string to support my tommies last year and a couple snapped under the weight of fruit, use something strong, I've gone back to canes this year.

[Beachwalker]

Thanks for all the replies. I saw one website that said they were cordons and elsewhere said they were a bush variety. As per everyone's advice I think I'll treat them as a bush variety with plenty of support.

Thanks Burnie, I've just moved house to be nearer to the beach. Haven't had much time to go walking yet as I've been busy putting raised beds in the garden!