[Dantheman]

Hi could someone please help me ou0t.  this is the first time growing tomato's they are looking pretty good at the moment they are fruiting quite well, i was wondering what i have to do next?  I keep reading about pinching out the growing tips to encourage ripping, how do i go a bout doing this?
also another plot holder on my site has stripped all the leaves of his would this be to help ripen them? i thought they need a few leaves to get their energy from.
thanks

[Yorkie]

Pinching out is literally pinching the main growing tip between your thumb and forefinger, so as to detach it!

How many trusses (sets of flowers / small tomatoes) do you have per plant?

I would not advise removing leaves because, as you say, they provide the plant with energy.

[peapod]

Its recommended that you have a maximum of 5 trusses per plant.  Once you see a set of 5 flowering areas then pinch out the top by the exact method that Yorkie has said.

I tried the almost total removal of leaves a couple of years ago and it didnt help at all. I now remove leaves around the fruits only to allow aeration and light, and that seems to work.  I still do get some green fruits though!

[sarajane]

Like Peapod says, nip out the tops after 5 trusses have formed.

I recently removed some of my leaves and the ripening process is now well underway.  Don't remove them all as the plant does need them to survive, I've  just cut off every other leaf, up to the second truss and its really helped with letting in the light.  I'll trim off more once the bottom trusses have been picked

[fatcat1955]

Only remove the leaves up to the 1st truss.

[mumofstig]

Monty said on GW on Friday to remove them up to the 2nd truss   

[Dantheman]

thanks for you help guys, will go have a look today how many trusses i have on each plant and get them tips pinched off.

dan

[surbie100]

Thanks! I was wondering the same thing.

[Dantheman]

i've had a look today, i've got about 8 on each plant not like you said but it will have to do for this year. i now know for next year thanks guys