Topic: Pinching questions

[vaca]

Hello,

I've got 2 'pinching' questions... and apologies if they've been asked before.

Do I need to pinch the tops of my french beans and borlotti beans when they reach the top of their supports? I've done it on my runner beans as I read about them in a book, but the same book doesn't mention anything about the other types of climbing beans.


Second pinching questions is when do people generally pinch out the tips of indeterminate tomato plants? Is there any good guide? ie: size of plant/number of tomatoes per plant/number of trusses... My toms are starting to ripen and I want to beat the blight so was thinking of doing it now to speed up the ripening - but am thinking perhaps its too soon  ???

many thanks,
vaca

[Mrs Ava]

Oh, not pinching your neighbours beans then  ::) ;D ;)

I pinch all of my beans out when they reach the tops as this encourages bushing and more flowering stems - whooppee!

As for toms, I believe people pinch out the tops once there are 4 or 5 good trusses, however, I have never stopped my toms as I see the green toms as an important crop as the red ones!

[saddad]

I stop the toms at the top of the cane or they get top heavy and split...
Beans likewise at the top of the 8' canes.
 :)