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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: boldielocks on June 11, 2009, 15:26:34

Title: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: boldielocks on June 11, 2009, 15:26:34
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
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: tim on June 11, 2009, 15:49:16
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!
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: cleo on June 11, 2009, 16:27:54
I`m not a purist--it hapens.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: boldielocks on June 11, 2009, 16:29:55
My only concern is will effect the production of the fruits.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: cleo on June 11, 2009, 16:36:22
It won`t-as Tim said it`s not unusual on some varieties-usually the older and better tasting ones
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: OllieC on June 11, 2009, 17:27:19
My forking tomatoes are taking ages to get going this year...
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: chriscross1966 on June 12, 2009, 10:57:12
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
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: cleo on June 12, 2009, 18:57:06
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??
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: flossy on June 12, 2009, 19:27:38

  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
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: shirlton on June 12, 2009, 19:34:15
Ours are forking this year . Costiluto Fiorentino are the main culprits. I just pick the strongest shoot and take out the other..
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: lightyears on June 12, 2009, 20:41:29
both my beefs have forked, but are now flowering prolificly, the alsa craig have not forked but are massive and are covered in flowers
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: amphibian on June 12, 2009, 20:43:25
Quote from: chriscross1966 on June 12, 2009, 10:57:12
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.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: manicscousers on June 12, 2009, 21:17:22
our beefs have forked and they're in the polytunnel  :o ;D
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: Sueste on June 12, 2009, 21:33:27
All my Marmande's have forked never had this problem before.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: manicscousers on June 12, 2009, 21:36:43
Hiya, sueste, welcome to the site  ;D
same variety as us :)
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: liefste on June 12, 2009, 22:01:03
can someone tell me what forking is  ???... as I think i know but would just like to know for sure xxx
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: shirlton on June 14, 2009, 08:33:12
Its when the main stem splits and you get 2 main stems.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: davyw1 on June 14, 2009, 13:07:17
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.
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: valmarg on June 14, 2009, 15:41:38
Quote from: OllieC on June 11, 2009, 17:27:19
My forking tomatoes are taking ages to get going this year...

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

valmarg
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: cleo on June 14, 2009, 18:25:35
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
Title: Re: Forking Tomatoes?
Post by: shirlton on June 14, 2009, 19:21:57
C'mon Tim you tell him