This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Pinching Tomatoes
My Shirley toms are now 18 inches tall and in pots in the conservatory
I have been removing appropriate bottom shoots and the small ones in the vee between the main stalk and the stems
Some trusses have formed
? Is it now time to pinch oput the growing tops please friends
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
0
Posts
Take them out when they've reached the eventual height you want them NewBoy. Usually about 5 or 6 trusses I'd think.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
great question. I always get this wrong!
Yes, never pinch-out the main growing tip until the plants have reached the maximum height you want them to grow to. If you accidentally break off the main shoot tip, leave just one side shoot and this will take over and become the new main stem.
I was taught to stop the plant (pinch out the main growing tip) after 4 trusses had set but have to admit I've always let them go on for 5 or 6 trusses. Don't start feeding the plant until the first truss has set fruit or you will just get masses of foliage & no fruit. I do tend to remove all the leaves to just above the first truss once it has set fruit as well so that the plants energy is concentrated on the tomatoes rather than leaf production.