Forking Tomatoes?

[boldielocks]

First time growing tomatoes, I've been pinching out the side shoots regularly. But I have 2 plants that have developed a fork at the top of the plant. One fork has a truss and the other does not. Should I leave this or pinch it out.


Thanks

[boldielocks]

[tim]

See elsewhere - very common, esp on Beefs. The other will get a truss &, if you wish , you can keep it. But the purist would cut it!

[cleo]

I`m not a purist--it hapens.

[boldielocks]

My only concern is will effect the production of the fruits.

[cleo]

It won`t-as Tim said it`s not unusual on some varieties-usually the older and better tasting ones

[OllieC]

My forking tomatoes are taking ages to get going this year...

[chriscross1966]

One of my beefsteaks (BLack Krim) has managed to fork, put a kingfruit on each fork and then grow blind on both forks..... now I'm waiting for a sideshoot so tha tI can keep it growing upweards.... I don't remember any beef I've ever grown being this bad for the "usual" beef growth problems.... if they don't taste great I'll go back to Supersteak cos the growth habits of these is a bit of a joke.....

chrisc

[cleo]

Black krim(krym) is a devil for doing that-I no longer grow/sell it.

It`s a decent enough tomato but with so many varieties as good or better-why bother??

[flossy]

  Why not let them just  ''  go  '' ,   don't pinch out shoots , let the plant do it's

   thing , not looking for prize winners in size etc  ---   just want toms , and plenty

   of them.     Have had nothing but abundant crops in the past,  need plenty of

   support mind you   --  as the plants get heavy !

    floss xxx

[shirlton]

Ours are forking this year . Costiluto Fiorentino are the main culprits. I just pick the strongest shoot and take out the other..

[lightyears]

both my beefs have forked, but are now flowering prolificly, the alsa craig have not forked but are massive and are covered in flowers

[amphibian]

One of my beefsteaks (BLack Krim) has managed to fork, put a kingfruit on each fork and then grow blind on both forks..... now I'm waiting for a sideshoot so tha tI can keep it growing upweards.... I don't remember any beef I've ever grown being this bad for the "usual" beef growth problems.... if they don't taste great I'll go back to Supersteak cos the growth habits of these is a bit of a joke.....

chrisc

Beefsteaks are prone to terminating in trusses, or otherwise behaving oddly, such as trusses that lead to a new stem, which then grows on. I always leave a spare sideshoot in case it's needed.


I swear their is a lot more forking this year than is typical, it's been very windy here, I wonder if it influences such growth.

[manicscousers]

our beefs have forked and they're in the polytunnel  :o ;D

[Sueste]

All my Marmande's have forked never had this problem before.

[manicscousers]

Hiya, sueste, welcome to the site  ;D
same variety as us :)

[liefste]

can someone tell me what forking is  ???... as I think i know but would just like to know for sure xxx

[shirlton]

Its when the main stem splits and you get 2 main stems.

[davyw1]

I have to disagree about the main stem splitting tomatoes only have one growing tip and do not split naturally, forking is caused by missing a sucker at the top of the plant which then grows at the same pace as the main stem.

[valmarg]

My forking tomatoes are taking ages to get going this year...

On the naughty step Ollie. ;D ;D ;D

valmarg

[cleo]

I have to disagree about the main stem splitting tomatoes only have one growing tip and do not split naturally, forking is caused by missing a sucker at the top of the plant which then grows at the same pace as the main stem

Well maybe-but having grown heritage types for many years and having seen it so often I`m of the opinion that I do need to sleep now and again so if I missed a sucker -oh well