[lfcevans]

Earlier on this year I sowed 5 different tomato seeds in a large seed tray to do an experiment to see which grew best outdoors in a sheltered south facing garden soil plot....they were all labelled up with my new plastic labels and growing strong seedlings

After a couple of waterings I noticed that the names had washed off the labels because of the pen i had used and I couldn't for the life of me remember which type was which 

They are all about 18-24 inch at the moment.

I had 2 bush types and 2 vines types and one tumbler.

Could anyone advise me on what to do so as not to lose to much of the crop of each type. Should I just let them grow as a bush or train them all like a vine

[mumofstig]

Leave them to it until you have a truss of flowers, then see what the plants do.

If they continue to grow upwards after a flower truss, then they are cordon tomatoes to grow up a cane, and the sideshoots need removing.

If they stop growing upwards after the first truss then they are bush tomatoes, leave the sideshoots to grow for more flowers and fruits.

[Annen]

That's clever Mum, useful to know 

[LandShark]

That's a great tip!
My Dad has been growing on every side shoot he's removed without labelling. I've got 27 plants that I should now be able to identify roughly!!
Thanks

[mumofstig]

It's not infallible (there are a few varieties that never make up their minds ) but a good general rule IMO

[Growster...]

Another guide, is that the flowers on determinate - bush types seem large and have lots of petals, so the flower seems almost 'bloated'!

It's not infallible, but you may get an early indication of which one does what!

The tumbler may be the easiest, as it will just not get very tall, and spring out in all directions!

[lfcevans]

Thanks for the help

Only one has got a truss on at the moment and is still heading towards the sky, so must be a cordon.

The rest just seem to be growing leaves and side shoots

They are all heirloom types so wanted to keep identification for the following years, but all I will know is whether they are cordon/bush etc. Just as good I suppose

[mumofstig]

Doesn't the size of the flower just indicate the size of the fruit?

Garden Pearl is a bush with small flowers and fruit 

[Growster...]

Doesn't the size of the flower just indicate the size of the fruit?

Garden Pearl is a bush with small flowers and fruit 

I think that may well be the case, Mum..;0)