Allotments 4 All

The first one terminated in one truss - this stops at two.

Isn't it irritating when they go blind for no apparent reason, just after you have got rid of your spares!
>:(

What variety is this?

We tend to have this problem with the large 'beefsteak' varieties.

Hubby tends not to sideshoot them, and we do get a very good crop from them.

valmarg

The first, val, was Mortgage Lifter. This is Palla di Fuocco.

Tim, the variety we grow which has the worst record for this is Supersteak (from T&M)  We keep persevering because when you get a crop it is worth the effort!  We have a Costoluto in the greenhouse that has gone blind, but there are four tomatoes on it, so shan't chuck it out just yet.

As I said, we only get this problem on beefsteak varieties, so hubby has stopped sideshooting them, just to be on the safe side.

valmarg

Just for fun - the shoot that I trained up to replace the blind Mortgage Lifter growth has just done it again??

That's the problem, Tim, once the plant has 'gone blind' any side shoots you do manage to grow, and they are few and far between, they have the irritating habit of doing exactly the same.

The cherry and plum, tomatoes hubby takes out the sideshoots, and we do get wonderful crops from them

The beefsteak he leaves alone.

We do get some fantastic  crops with this method, from Supersteak, brandywine, costoluto firentino, mortgage lifter, et al.

Whatever method you choose, the harvesting of the crop is the main thing, because you know that the taste is going to be far superior to anything you can buy.

valmarg

To save space - here's another question - asked before but not really solved.

Why do toms ALWAYS lean out at 45 deg after tying? It's NOT the light - it's random. And the ties are loose.

How can it be prevented?

So right, valmarg - now THAT shoot's doing it too!! (Top right)

Thigmotropism?

The plant senses it is in contact with an object, and therefore grows away from it in an attemt to find more optimal conditions (i.e. space - because it doesn't know a support cane from a competing plant).

?

So does everyone have this problem?
Makes it SO much more difficult to tie in.

Interesting idea Gadfium and you might be onto something.

Funny enough it seems to vary by variety for me. Sungold are terrible and twist and turn all over the shop where was San Marzona and Ferline behave impeccably!

Jerry

My Gardeners Delight are definitely doing that.  Getting fed up with going out, seeing they've grown another 10cm and need yet another tie.

san marzano come from a good family, is why. they positively hug any support you throw at them! maybe they would be a good variety to plant in a block and let support each other - field conditions rather than pampered garden conditions?