Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: treecol on July 22, 2014, 22:06

Title: pruning tomato plants
Post by: treecol on July 22, 2014, 22:06
I know this probably sounds really stupid to those of you who are experienced, but I was so keen to grow something this year, I put 8 tomato plants in the soil in the green house at the beginning of June. They are now 4 feet high. But I didn't know they are meant to have their side shoots pinched off. I do have some fruit, just starting to ripen, but not a great deal. So should I leave them for this year & chalk it down to experience, or should I prune off some of the jungle of foliage? If so, how? Thanks if you can help this twit!
Title: Re: pruning tomato plants
Post by: mumofstig on July 22, 2014, 23:28
this thread may help  :)
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=115907.msg1338838#msg1338838
Title: Re: pruning tomato plants
Post by: treecol on July 23, 2014, 13:43
Than you, seems it's too late to prune, still I know for next year.
Title: Re: pruning tomato plants
Post by: mumofstig on July 23, 2014, 13:50
You could prune of leaves from the bottom half of the plant to let in light and air to the ripening fruits, and any pinch out any new stems that try to grow from the main stems - that should keep them a bit organised  ;)

Make sure you have canes and string to support any heavy fruiting trusses, or the weight can break/ bend them over.
Title: Re: pruning tomato plants
Post by: Tenhens on August 10, 2014, 14:52
This week's Gardener's World mentioned pruning tomatoes.
Title: Re: pruning tomato plants
Post by: Goosegirl on August 11, 2014, 11:52
Treecol - NO question is stupid to us on here, especially from a newbie (hope you don't mind the term - it's not meant in a derogatory way at all) and don't think that because some of us are experienced we don't make some daft mistakes! This is how we all learn, so next year.............!  ;)