The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: Dans on June 13, 2016, 06:48:11 pm
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So I kind of planted my tomatoes and then got caught up with other bits. It's my first year really trying them. I noticed that they are taking over and sprawling onto the paths.
I've now got the supports up for them (I googled and they are allcordon) but have realised the side shoots are a bit big to prick out on some of them.
Can I 'prune' the side shoots or will that kill/weaken the plants? Will my tomatoes just all be bushes this year?
Dans
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Cut out the sideshoots so as to put the plants energy into your toms. They will flower and fruit this year, next year you will need new plants but they grow easily from seed. Tie them in regularly to the supports. :-)
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How big is too big? 4-5" isn't too long to snap off the side shoots - push them to one side so they snap cleanly leaving less of a wound. If they are a foot long then that may well be too long and you would be risking infection to remove them.
If there is just one really long one per plant then I would leave it, and just have a bifurcated plant. Give each stem it's own stick, with plenty of space between them for good air circulation. If there are more long ones than that, then use a very sharp knife, sterilised between each cut (with meths or white spirit) to cut them close to the main stem, but taking care not to damage the stem.
For future years, give each plant a cane when you first plant them out, and tie in the main stem as it grows, and take out the side shoots when they are just an inch or so long, by snapping them sideways (pricking out is where you take seedlings out of a seed tray and prick them out into more spacious quarters). So you need to be doing something with your tomatoes at least every 2-3 days. I find tying in my toms very relaxing. I don't side shoot as I don't grow indeterminate varieties.
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The plants are quite big.
I took a gamble with one (the one that was falling over the path) and cut back to just the main stem, I think that will be the worst one. Hoping I can get into the polytunnel tomorrow and take out the side shoots on some of the other plants that are much smaller tomorrow. Hoping I haven't killed off this plant.
At least I now know what I should be doing with tomatoes!
And whoops, I will slowly learn all the lingo too!
Dans
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I have taken out very long side shoots before now without any comeback, but it's not ideal. I used secateurs.