[MichelleC]

Can anyone clarify. When you pinch out the top of the Tomato plant, does this stop production of any new flowers or leaves?

[Old Tom]

Usually yes. You`ll have to keep a look out for the new leaders that grow from where the leaves meet the stem as the plant will try to form a new leader and this will rob the fruit of energy.

[Lardman]

Not entirely. It tends to stop vertical growth and increase side shoots (which you then remove).

I normally stop them when they hit the roof or if they're outside when the weather looks iffy and I don't think there will be time for the fruit already on the plant to ripen.

[MichelleC]

So if I only have one truss on a plant and I pinch out the top, this means I won't get another truss?

[Old Tom]

If you let one of the new leaders grow from a leave joint it may well put out new trusses. I`ve done this when I`ve broken off the first growing tip by accident.

[MichelleC]

Okay so maybe I should attempt to let another sideshoot grow. As a rule of thumb when is the latest time bearing in mind I live in York, that I should allow expect the very last truss to ripen so to speak?

[Old Tom]

It all depends on the weather that we get for the rest of summer. So long as the toms have swollen to a nice size when the cold weather comes they can be picked and ripened by putting them in a poly bag with a banana or an apple. The ethelyne gas released by the fruit will cause the toms to ripen. Any that are still green can be used in chutney and the like.

[Ivor Backache]

So if I only have one truss on a plant and I pinch out the top, this means I won't get another truss?

yes.
I find that side shoots do not produce a good a crop as the main truss, but if you don't have any choice let it grow and stop that shoot after say two trusses. You will have to provide additional support because the shoot will grow away from your main central support.
I stop my toms at four trusses, with some plants in an unheated greenhouse and others are outside. I find that a fifth truss never gets very big and never gets red. But they work well in a chutney.
I don't think this year will produce a good harvest, we haven't had the proper weather for tomatoes.
After you have stopped your plants, remove the side shoots as explained amd also the trusses may produce new shoots and these need to come off as well.

[MichelleC]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll let another sideshoot grow. x

[sunshineband]

And don't forget that there is plenty you can do with green tomatoes if the last truss doesn't ripen