[puravida]

Last year my father in law was round for lunch and he told me I shoudl have nipped out all the side shoots on my toms.

Everywhere I look I read that this is tomato basics.

I've read every gardening book under the sun, and they all say the same. BUT not a single one tells me or shows me exactly which shoots I shoud be pinching out.

How do you know if they are going to be fruit bearing? How do you know it is a side shoot and not a main branch? When do I start this? I have a few tom plants about 8-10" high now, do I start now??

I know this is basics but I am genuinely struggling.

[WG.]

Stand on your head.  Imagine something growing out of your armpit.  That's the bit of a tomato that you nip out.

[puravida]

haha - great answer!!! That's the clearest explanation yet!!
So basically - leacing the main branches where they are?

I guess I start this right now even though they are just tiddlers, right?

[Smudgeboy]

Or, in (slightly fuzzy) picture:



See the stem in the middle?

See the branches, errrr . . . branching off left and right?

See those tiny little things growing between them? Them's sideshoots.

Do like the Russian Tomato Grower - Snapitoff!

(Check the other lower branches and keep chekcing them - they come again)

[crowndale]

Last year my father in law was round for lunch and he told me I shoudl have nipped out all the side shoots on my toms.

Everywhere I look I read that this is tomato basics.

I've read every gardening book under the sun, and they all say the same. BUT not a single one tells me or shows me exactly which shoots I shoud be pinching out.

How do you know if they are going to be fruit bearing? How do you know it is a side shoot and not a main branch? When do I start this? I have a few tom plants about 8-10" high now, do I start now??

I know this is basics but I am genuinely struggling.

You have asked a question tht I have never dared ask for fear of appearing truly lacking in knowledge, and you're right, the books say to do it but none of them explain what it is you are doing.  I am so glad you asked the question because now I know the answer I am sure tht next years toms will benefit greatly!!!

[WG.]

Standing on your head should prove easy for you, crowndale.  Judging by your avatar, It'll have a nice flat bit on front  :!:  

[richyrich7]

Err unless their bush a variety then you don't  

[puravida]

Fanrastic!
Thanks all!!
The advice for the bush variety came a tad late - I got carried away with the moment and plucked out all the side shoots off all the plants including my tumbling toms in hanging baskets!

Ach well - they're only small and I'm sure they'll recover.

Thanks again!! really cleared it up one and for all!!!!

[yummy]

 I am so glad you asked the question because now I know the answer I am sure tht next years toms will benefit greatly!!!

Me too. Thanks  

[duncan]

Last year my father in law was round for lunch and he told me I shoudl have nipped out all the side shoots on my toms.

Everywhere I look I read that this is tomato basics.

I've read every gardening book under the sun, and they all say the same. BUT not a single one tells me or shows me exactly which shoots I shoud be pinching out.

How do you know if they are going to be fruit bearing? How do you know it is a side shoot and not a main branch? When do I start this? I have a few tom plants about 8-10" high now, do I start now??

I know this is basics but I am genuinely struggling.

yes its them little ones .........just there in the photo.... shouting nip me out ...best way to nip em out is with  take  i big knife  carving knife and chop the tops of and you will not have any problems again ....

[tetley]

are all cherry tomatoes, a bush variety?  I have just gone for cherry toms this year, as I had so many toms split last year.

And I too have seen the light with regards to 'pinching out', I didn't know for sure...thanks

[WG.]

And I too have seen the light with regards to 'pinching out', I didn't know for sure...thanks

Next time you're shaving your armpits you'll be thinking about tomato plants !!  

[DD.]

are all cherry tomatoes, a bush variety?  I have just gone for cherry toms this year, as I had so many toms split last year.

And I too have seen the light with regards to 'pinching out', I didn't know for sure...thanks

Nope - Gardener's Delight are not, for instance.

Oddly enough, I've stopped growing them as it's the small ones that split on me!

yes its them little ones .........just there in the photo.... shouting nip me out ...best way to nip em out is with  take  i big knife  carving knife and chop the tops of and you will not have any problems again ....

I find finger & thumb quite adequate for pinching out (that's what you're doing after all), without threatening the plants with decapitation by accidental slip of a carving knife!  

[tetley]

thanks Dave, bought gardeners delight seeds, but didn't get round to planting them..have just got a french cerise and gold nugget....although they are looking a bit battered today after a hailstorm last night....I have tried to stand them back up and firm the soil.


WG wrote;
Next time you're shaving your armpits you'll be thinking about tomato plants !!

I will now :twisted:

[yummy]

I'm going to nip mine when I get home. I'm really glad I read this since it turns out the sideshoots are the bits I thought were going to flower. Sounds like I'd have been waiting a while  :roll: