Comments

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  TangoFlowers wrote:

  by topped off do u mean u filled up its container, or that u pruned off the top of the vine?

  If this refers to top pruning, what are the benefits of that type of pruning on tomatoes?

  Posted on 26 Jun 11 (almost 2 years ago)

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  N20863 wrote:

  Hi @TF. I pruned the growing tip of the plant. It shot up (+72 inches) and was about 2 to 2 1/2 feet above the top of my support trellis. My fear was that it would topple over eventually and really do damage to the main stem. Ideally, I will get a sucker growing from lower on the plant and it will get more tomatoes. This is by far my most productive plant this year with seven tomatoes formed already and so it was with a heavy heart and trembling hands that I performed the mitzvah of the briss. :)

  Earlier in the season my Celebrity had the growing tip ripped off by the wind and it quickly developed a sucker right at that spot and continued growing so it almost looks like it never happened, but again, that is a determinate and nowhere near as tall.

  I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will update the progress over time. Nervous. :)

  Posted on 27 Jun 11 (almost 2 years ago)

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  flowerweaver wrote:

  I thought suckers didn’t flower and fruit?

  Posted on 02 Jul 11 (almost 2 years ago)

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  N20863 wrote:

  Hi @FW Oh, they can… my timing/management could have been better… :)

  Indeterminate tomatoes are vining plants with many branches. Pruning reduces the number of branches to one, two, or several main branches or “leaders” which will ideally be about the same size. This is accomplished by removing side shoots or “suckers” that grow in the leaf axils between leaves and the stem. Here’s how it’s done:
  If you want just one leader, remove all the leaves and side shoots below the first flower cluster. As the plant grows, continue to remove all suckers from the leaf axils.
  If you want two leaders, which is often recommended in case the main stem is damaged, leave one sucker directly below the first flower cluster. Prune all other suckers that grow on both stems.
  For plants with three or four leaders, leave the first sucker or first two suckers above the first flower cluster. After that, prune off all new suckers.
  http://bit.ly/j47qKD

  Posted on 02 Jul 11 (almost 2 years ago)

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  N20863 wrote:

  Here’s a link to the video from that page…

  http://bit.ly/lzmon2

  They leave two leaders.

  Posted on 02 Jul 11 (almost 2 years ago)

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