Topic: And on tomatoes..

[kenkew]

Which bit to break off?
This question will arise...here's the answer.

[grawrc]

Yes that was a problem for me last year. I'd never grown them before. Luckily one of my helpful fellow lottie-holders showed me what and how. Obvious when you know innit ? ;) What really got me was that after removing the shoots I'd go back a couple of days later and they were back again. Kind of ongoing task.

[jennym]

Lovely clear photo kenkew !

[northener]

Bring em on.

[Jitterbug]

I am going to try to grow Harbinger and San Marzano (Organic) and Marmande Super (organic) Tomatoes in my greenhouse for the first time as well.   I have a small cold greenhouse and will be growing in it for the first time this year.   Also will grow tumbling toms in my hanging basket - they were quite good last year.

Any one tried growing these varieties before and have any useful tips for a newbie?

Also about cutting off the side shoots - must this be done all the way up the plant (as I see higher up there is another shoot??

[kenkew]

Marmande is a good cropper of tasty tom's. Treat them as 'normal'.
You say 'organic' but that depends on your compost. The seed might come from an 'organic' plant but how far back in time does one go to be able to claim organic? It's a term used without a true meaning most of the time. If you're talking growing without chemicals, then good on you, but when you consider what tom's like best to grow in, well, what did the animal supplying the manure eat? Personally, I consider chemical free as organic regardless of where the seed came from.
Regarding the stem 'suckers' which most tommy growers break off; If you want more but smaller tom's, then it's fine to let at least one of those shoots grow on. If you train it sideways and then up another cane, you will in effect, have an extra plant, but don't forget that it's two plants on one stem. If you want less but bigger, the rule is to take them all off, everyone as they appear.

[Jitterbug]

Thanks for the advice - I definitely want BIG! :) and I do try and not use chemicals and have my french marigolds ready for sowing as companion plants to try and beat the beasties..

[kenkew]

Big, eh? Then take the tops off the plant after 3 (max 4) trusses have formed.

[mike_w]

I seem to recall reading that if you plant the suckers then each will root and grow into a new plant but I have never tried it. Can anyone confirm whether this actually works?

thanks.

[kenkew]

Yes it will work but easier than that is to grow extra plants in the first place.

[LesH]

Hi Mike W  Leave the "suckers" to grow to 15 > 20cm. snap them off, put them into a water filled jam jar. In a week to ten days you will see white roots emerging from the bottom of the stem. Dibber a hole in the soil, water in and away they go.

[grawrc]

I'm with Kenkew. I'd rather sow extra in the first place. Anything that requires me remembering to look after it.... and check it's OK... Might as well forget it :-[

[bennettsleg]

What are the sweetest & most readily available tomatoes in seed form?

[jennym]

That's a question to which everyone will have a different answer! But if you want a reliable one, grown by everyone at one stage or another, try Gardener's Delight - you can get it anywhere, they are smallish size but not "cherry" and they do taste nice. For a yellow/orange one, I grew Sungold, and they are very sweet and tasty.

[grawrc]

I think Shirley get a good name. We cartainly enjoy them. Need to grow in the greenhouse though.

[katynewbie]

;)

Ken you are sooo clever!! Thanks for that, will know where to look when having a panic later in the year!!

 ;D

[theothermarg]

??? my 1st posting sorry if i get wrong!
i like to grow a selection in my greenhouse can't grow on the lottie as we get blight   trying a new (to me) way, putting the plant in it's small pot
in the bottom of a big pot and building soil up as it grows. seems that the plant grows roots further up the stem that is surrounded by soil  so it takes in more food and water and is more stable  sounds good ? we shall see

[Larkspur]

Hi the othermarg, what you describe is similar to a technique called ring culture. In that you encourage two effectively different root systems. One of which you water, one of which you feed. However I am not sure if restricting the main root system in a small pot is a very good idea. You might be better using large pots. :)