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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: tim on June 29, 2004, 09:32:52

Title: Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on June 29, 2004, 09:32:52

We all know the side-shoots that we pinch out on indeterminate plants (No 1).

But we can be taken unawares when the stem bifurcates. (Nos 2&3).

No hassle - can let the odd one grow on - but can get a bit crowded. = Tim
(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/tomatoes/tomss2.jpg)(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/tomatoes/tomss1.jpg)(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/tomatoes/tomss3.jpg)

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: adamhill100 on June 29, 2004, 11:44:08

Thats how mine have gone butlooking good for fruit is coming on well... How many clumps of flower/fruit should I let grow before I halt anymore growing?

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Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 29, 2004, 12:42:09

Couple of mine do that.  I just cut out the one without flowers on and let the other grow on.  After a week away my greenhouse was full floor to ceiling with my toms! :o  Once mine hit the ceiling I guess I shall pinch the top out and leave them to it.

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on June 29, 2004, 13:18:26

Adam - as usual, no note of in or out?
If 'in' - as many as you have room for. Or food &/or light & warmth.Our Santa, last year, went to 10 feet. 'Out' - 3-4 trusses.

And Emma - the whole point about this - although I didn't show it - is that both shoots are identical, with flower truss.  = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 29, 2004, 13:29:37

Oh!  A couple of mine look as though they are 2 stems welded together.  Only one of the 'split' had flowers on and I could definately tell which was the strongest, plus, if I didn't thin them out a touch, no light was going to get into the greenhouse!  Tis a jungle!!  :o

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on June 29, 2004, 13:34:13

These are the tops of No 3. = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: adamhill100 on June 29, 2004, 14:05:56

Thanks Tim! They are out so will need to stop them now..

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Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: ina on June 29, 2004, 16:51:56

Tim, I thinks it's time for a updated panoramic view of your wonderful greenhouse...... Please?

I also have a couple of tomato plants that ended up with two, identical main stems, I let them be.

There is another mystery going on in the greenhouse.
One of the stems of a truss continued to grow. The stem grew beyond the truss, into a branch with leaves and a new truss on it. I let it be too, just to see what happens.

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on June 29, 2004, 17:27:30

Yes - that's V common, Ina. I think it wasteful of effort to leave it on. Trusses supplied by the main stem must be better off? = Tim

PS The best view was 18 June - you can't see beyond the first 2 plants now!

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: ina on June 29, 2004, 17:41:31

Ahhhhhhhh, what shame, here I thought I had something special. I will snip it off now.

Did you take a picture on June 18th Tim?

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on June 29, 2004, 18:59:53

Yes - Basics - page 2, 4 down! = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: ina on June 29, 2004, 20:26:52

Where's my trained cat that takes red x-es away? Only red x showing where your pictures once were. Boohoo.

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: ina on June 29, 2004, 22:05:24

Aha, the pictures are back and so is my cat!
Tim, your picture on the right looks great, thanks for showing the way to find it. The left is a little sad, hope it's just a few you lost.

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 01, 2004, 09:55:42

'Specially for Ina - who wants to know what's going on in there? = Tim
(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/mishmosh/ssscus.jpg)(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/mishmosh/john_hawkins.jpg)

(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/mishmosh/aubs.jpg)(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/mishmosh/ace.jpg)

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: derbex on July 01, 2004, 11:16:35

Congratulations Tim, your greenhouse is definately further on than mine.

I can't quite make the flowers out -marigolds?

Jeremy

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 01, 2004, 12:02:20

Yes. I'm not a believer, but they look nice?? = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: ina on July 01, 2004, 21:01:58

absolutely fab. Love them itty bitty baby peppers. Looking sooooo gooooooooood! And all those tomatoes, the trusses started so nice and low, plenty of space up to grow lots more.
Thank you so much Tim. Do you think you may use grow bags upright again next year?

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 02, 2004, 06:26:55

Much better. They are half bags, and I top them up with 2-3" additional compost. = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: derbex on July 02, 2004, 09:59:03

Tim, I'm not sure if you've said before, but why growbags rather than borders? Had your borders become infected?

Jeremy

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 02, 2004, 10:30:24

No - you haven't asked before.
Never considered borders. So - let me think aloud.

1. We have solid clay 6" down & would have to import soil.
2. Soil has to be sterilised or changed each year - no matter what some folk say.
3. Beds assume one down each side? Very limiting for arrangement. Look at the photo on p.2 of Basics. And we change the layout each year, depending on what needs what light.
4. Despite being sunk 18" into the ground, we have only 6' at the eaves. We get 7-8' from centre to half-way out.
5. I think I have more accurate control of growing conditions in bags. And feed goes only to the thing that needs it.
6. You can't go around to the back of plants in beds, to check, pinch  out, spray or pick.
7. Plants in beds are often close to the glass - bad for vetilation.

How about you?? = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: derbex on July 02, 2004, 11:37:17

Tim, I'm starting a new greenhouse thread in basics in case anyone else wants to join in.

Jeremy

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 02, 2004, 12:05:37

Ambidextrous! = Tim

Title: Re:Tomatoes - a little tip
Post by: tim on July 04, 2004, 10:16:42

Another little thing.

No1 - very common - vertical (90deg) shoots from a leaf frond - overwatering or feeding, I'm told??
No2 - typical 45deg sideshoot, but from flower truss. Not at the tip. = Tim

(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/tomatoes/shoot3.jpg)(http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/tomatoes/shoot2.jpg)