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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Aussie Chick on May 15, 2007, 22:55:14

Title: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 15, 2007, 22:55:14

Hi, I didnt want to start a new thread, but cant find what I'm looking for.
Do i need to pink out the side shoots of a Plum tomato please...a simple yes or no would be great!

Thanks guys and sorry for being stupid!!

AC

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: Wicker on May 15, 2007, 23:41:06

Hadn't grown plum tomatoes before last year when we grew Roma (great for sauces/soups)  We did prick out the side shoots and they were still pretty bushy and produced great crop.  That's my only experience tho...

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: jennym on May 16, 2007, 00:50:22

I don't pinch out any sideshoots on Roma, they seem fine if just left alone.

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: tim on May 16, 2007, 06:28:01

Being determinate, no!

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: Trevor_D on May 16, 2007, 07:39:59

Roma is a thug. All the books - and all the experts - agree with Tim.

The problem is that if left to it's own devices you get masses of stems & leaves in a tight knot and when (not if!) the blight strikes it spreads like wildfire. So I prefer to try to tame it a bit and keep the lower leaves removed and the centre open so that air can get through. It never does behave like a "proper" tomato, but you do need to keep on top of it.

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 16, 2007, 16:27:03

thanks guys!

 :) :)

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: Jeannine on May 16, 2007, 19:33:24

Wow if Roma is a thug, what would my Laroma be ,it has 7 times the fruit of the Roma!!!

I have grown my determinate  Laroma for some years now and never prune it.

XX Jeannine

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: ellkebe on May 16, 2007, 20:03:23

Hmm - started off not pruning my Roma last year, and then decided nothing else would get a look in the rate it was going!  Got a very good crop - still some sauce in the freezer!

Title: Re: Plum Tomatoes
Post by: sand on May 16, 2007, 21:08:53

We are growing Roma for the first time this year and understood that it is a semi-determinate, that is you only prick out to tame it. 

Think I will prick out from the bottom as described by Trevor_D to prevent the onset of blight.  Makes sense to me.  Thanks Trev.

Sand