Propagating tomatoes for Cuttings

[Rox]

Sorry folks if this has been asked before - I've done a search on the site, but can't seem to find anything.

I'd like to propagate some tomatoes from my current greenhouse plants that seem to be doing well, so hopefully  I can have a second, later crop of toms by the end of the season. A few questions on this method: how big should the cuttings be? can I just plop them in a jar of water till they root and then pot them up? When should this be done by to ensure a crop before the end of season? can I use any sideshoots for cuttings or only the ones from the top of the plant?

many thanks in advance for any/all suggestions!

[Rox]

[Gadfium]

My very limited experience (one year's worth) was to:  nip out a sideshoot, and instead of discarding it, plonk it into a 3" pot of compost. It rooted very swiftly - I actually forgot about it, found it a week later, by which time it was well on its way.

[Svea]

i agree with gadfium, snap out some good side shoots (2-3 inches high), pop it in compost and keep moist (but not waterlogged)

[carloso]

and that produces a new plant ? fully equipt with tomatoes at a later date ?

im up for this

[Svea]

affirmative

[carloso]

I now feel like a wastful assassin !! all the ones i through away last yr !!!

[Svea]

ah, dont feel bad. i put mine on the compost heap - they are very useful there. i dont have space for an ever expanding family of tomatoes anyways.

[carloso]

is it wrong :-

Nipping out the side shoots and chucking them away ????


well heres what i know i know but i looked at it on been helpful, I noticed that the local "exspensive" garden centre selling exspensive tom plant various varietys ! (some of which i have not got )
Well they looked shoddy as no one had nipped the little shoots out well the where about inch long
So i helped them i nipped out 2 or 3 from each plant i didnt have and on leaving i forgot to put them in the bin !!! is that naughty or helpful ?

Luckily i have had no trouble sleeping and do spread the proceeds to good causes at the end of the yr !!!

lol ;)


ps ill keep you updated on progress