Tomato Plants: Suckers!

[Hollie the Wollie]

My Grandma told me to pinch out the "suckers" in between the V's of the stems on my tomato plants.

I have spent some time this morning doing exactly that - they were small shoots and I just pinched them off.

Was this the right thing to do? If so, why? Surely more stems mean more flowers meaning more fruit?!

[stupo74]

Hi Hollie,
Why exactly we do this "Sideshooting" is still a mystery to myself
However, i have heard tales of people actually transplanting these shoots in to pots and increasing there stock of plants Never having tried it myself i can only guess at the results achieved.
Hopefully, we will get 1 of the more experienced members to comment(when they wake up) to clarify why and if, it can indeed be done.
It does seem such a waste
cheers stupo

[tammykins1968]

sideshooting is so you put all the energy back into the main stem and trusses of fruit. I think im right

[Pacey]

oooo i didnt know you were meant to do this, same for cherry toms?

[Sueh]

On my large Italian tomatoe plants these side shoots seemed to produce the fruits last year. So this year decided to experiment and I have taken the side shoots off some plants and not others to compare as I am worried I will have no large tomatoes. I have done the same with the cherry toms in my hanging baskets. We shall see.
Sue

[Lesley Jay]

Hang on everyone!!!!

Sue, the side shoots produced the fruits because the variety you were growing was a determinate or bush variety.

Everyone, if you remove the side shoots from determinate tomato varieties you are removing this years future harvest.

So, please, before anyone removes any side shoots from tomato plants please tell me the variety and I can let you know whether to side shoot or not.

Please!!

[Sueh]

Oh dear, this is what happens when you are a novice. Thankfully I only did a few.

Leslie these are what I am growing

Sweet Million
Tumbling Tom red
Tumbler F1
Italian "The taste of Italy" Beefsteak
Italian " The taste of Italy" Another variety that are large and supposed to be 1/2 green and 1/2 red when ready

Thanks Leslie

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Sue,

The first year I grew tomatoes my Dad wanted to side shoot my tomato plants but I wouldn't let him. Turns out I was right as they were the variety First In The Field which I eventually found out is a determinate variety.

Tumbling Tom are a determinate or bush variety ideal for growing in hanging baskets or containers. Don't side shoot!

Tumbler F1 are again a determinate or bush variety again perfect for baskets and containers. Don't side shoot!

Sweet Million is an indeterminate or cordon variety and this one does need the side shoots removing.

The Taste Of Italy - is this the correct name?? Beefsteak tomatoes are usually indeterminate or cordon varieties that need side shooting. The determinate / bush tomatoes tend to be small tomatoes on short plants or many of the plum tomatoes are also determinate. Sue where did you buy the Italian varieties from??

Here is my straightforward explanation of indeterminate and determinate tomato plants so as the "Taste Of Italy" grows you will be able to tell if it is an indeterminate (cordon) or a determinate (bush) variety. Cordon varieties grow tall with a main central stem and quite a gap between the branches whereas bush varieties grow into a short bush with heavy foliage. The two varieties flower differently aswell. The flower truss grows from the main central stem on cordon varieties but on bush varieties the flower truss grows on the end of the branches. Both varieties need staking and I have found that the bush varieties need more than one cane to help support the weight of the tomatoes.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh no I don't know what type my toms are!!! My husband threw away the seed packet once we had sown them

Its too late now anyway, I've removed these little shoots! I guess we'll wait and see what comes!

[Sueh]

Thank you so much Leslie. The Italian seeds were bought from a local garden centre. The actual tomatoe name was costoluto genovese and I have lost the packet for the other variety. The make is thomson Morgan. I have been using this Italian range for last 3 years for cucumbers, beans and peppers. So far the tomatoes and cues have been great. This year I did not buy the Italian cues and the ones I have are a bit dismal so I bought a new packet of my Italian ones and I started again 2 weeks ago.

I am going to inspect all the tomatoes tomorrow as some are starting to flower as the plants are now very big. I did have problems with the leaves and getting them started but now they are great.

Thanks again
sue

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Sue, Costoluto Genovese are a well know variety. They are an indeterminate variety so do need side shooting!!

The other Italian one that is half green I guess is Pomodoro Il Pantano Romanesco which is also an indeterminate or cordon variety and again needs side shooting!

Take care not to remove the shoot that will become the flowering and then the tomato truss.

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

Oh no I don't know what type my toms are!!! My husband threw away the seed packet once we had sown them

Its too late now anyway, I've removed these little shoots! I guess we'll wait and see what comes!

Hi Hollie, it's never too late! I've just found the photo on the forum of your tomato plants all in the same container and I can only see part of one stem which does look like a determinate or bush tomato variety. Have you had the chance to transplant them yet? Read my explanation of the different types:-

"Here is my straightforward explanation of indeterminate and determinate tomato plants so you will be able to tell if it is an indeterminate (cordon) or a determinate (bush) variety. Cordon varieties grow tall with a main central stem and quite a gap between the branches whereas bush varieties grow into a short bush with heavy foliage. The two varieties flower differently aswell. The flower truss grows from the main central stem on cordon varieties but on bush varieties the flower truss grows on the end of the branches. Both varieties need staking and I have found that the bush varieties need more than one cane to help support the weight of the tomatoes."

Then take a look at Jack's photo of his tomatoes on this thread when they were younger which are indeterminate / cordon tomatoes. To give you something to compare with.

Any advice for next years toms minus blight

Also Matt's young plants are an excellent example of young indeterminate / cordon tomatoes. I hope these all help!

Tomatoes - Shoot between trunk/Branch...

[tom_thumb]

I'm growing several different types of tomato this year, using seeds bought from an ebay shop (I have nothing to do with the shop)...if others don't know whether their tomatoes are determinate or indeterminate, it could be worth seeing if they list the same tomato as they specify the type in the description on every tomato listed....it might help someone:
Premier Seeds Direct - Tomatoes

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh thanks so much for the help. I think, from the description Lesley and the pics of Jack's toms, mine are indeterminate toms, as they have a thick central stem, broad gaps between the "branches" as it were.

By the looks of things and the rate they seem to be growing now, I have too many in that one tub. When they were smaller I expected them or at least the majority to die to be honest as they looked ever so poorly... but now they are huge and very strong stemmed.

My salad leaves are now tasting quite bitter and woody, so I think it's time for me to get them out and split up the toms. Would I get away with 3 tom plants in each of those large containers?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, what size are the containers? Do you have room in your garden and a nice sunny spot for a growbag? That way two or maybe three plants could be transplanted into the growbag. You can grow a fresh batch of salad leaves in the container with a tomato plant.

You will know for definite if you are growing indeterminate tomatoes because the flower truss grows from the main central stem.

[Hollie the Wollie]

I have not got any flowers yet on the plants - as soon as I do I will take a pic and share.

The pots are quite big, the top of them must be 30" across the top (is that diameter?). I think I will split them up in the two pots.

I's had enough of salad leaves I think for one season now hehe!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, I would normally say one plant per 10 inch (25cms) pot so you should be okay! Three plants might be a squeeze in one container but I have seen a cherry tomato plant growing in a baked bean tin!!

Grow some basil around the tomatoes - a perfect accompaniment!!

[Hollie the Wollie]

I actually do have some basil growing Lesley! Ironic thing is... maybe not ironic, perhaps stupid... I don't even like tomatos!!! I also don't like the smell of the leaves much and if I handle them alot the backs of my hands get a small rash!

[Shetty]

Originally Posted by stupo74

Hi Hollie,
Why exactly we do this "Sideshooting" is still a mystery to myself
However, i have heard tales of people actually transplanting these shoots in to pots and increasing there stock of plants Never having tried it myself i can only guess at the results achieved.
Hopefully, we will get 1 of the more experienced members to comment(when they wake up) to clarify why and if, it can indeed be done.
It does seem such a waste
cheers stupo

I believe you can transplant them, only I am not sure if they would grow enough to bring a decent crop.
My dad takes the shoots and puts them in an old jam jar to put on the table. He reckons it keeps the mosquitos at bay
He puts a bit of tom fertilizer in the water and the shoots continue growing, some of them even setting fruit