Determinate or Indeterminate; that is the question!

[Hollie the Wollie]

I know that Lesley has provided lots of explanations on how to identify whether tomato plants are determinate or indeterminate but I am still a little confused.. sorry!

I have taken some pictures of my toms today, which are now just starting to bud. Ive taken some pics of the stems aswell so hopefully this may be enough to identify what mine are... and hopefully help others to compare.

Your thoughts please every one

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, the easiest way to decide whether they are indeterminate or determinate tomato plants is from where the flower trusses grow from. You have a flower truss on the second photo which appears to be growing from the main central stem (is it?) if it is then this makes it an indeterminate tomato plant, but, the photo ain't clear!! On determinate tomato plants the flower truss grows from the branches which means that these need a few cane sticks to support every plant as the weight of the tomato truss on the branches pulls them down to the ground. Indeterminate plants don't have this problem as the tomato truss grows from the main central stem and this takes the weight of the tomatoes.

Yes, it can be flippin' confusing!!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, I've managed to find an image that clearly shows an indeterminate tomato plant with the main central stem, well spaced between the side branches / stems and a tomato flower truss growing from the main central stem. I need to say thanks to Doug!

It's the third photo on Doug's post.

my cucumber plants and tomato plants

[Hollie the Wollie]

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply to the post. Thanks for that image, I can clearly see the tom flower and now that a few flowers have come out on my toms I can see that they are different.

I have flower trusses on many of the "branches" not just the main central stem. Am I therefore correct in saying that my toms are Determinate?! And, in which case, should I have not pinched out the side shoots / suckers?

Thanks again x

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

I have flower trusses on many of the "branches" not just the main central stem. Am I therefore correct in saying that my toms are Determinate?! And, in which case, should I have not pinched out the side shoots / suckers?

Thanks again x

Yes indeed Hollie, you are spot on. So no more side shooting!!

As you can imagine as those flowers grow into nice, juicy tomatoes there will be quite a weight on the branches. I use a few cane sticks per plant to stop the branches getting dragged down with the weight.

The other thing is on Doug's photo you can see just how far apart the branches are making a more open plant. Indeterminates also grow to 6 foot in height whereas determinates are a nice short 'stocky' bush plant.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh absolutely Lesley, I can see that now. Although mine look tall, to me, they are bushy and only about 2Ft tall, if that!

I can see lots of flowers now on the plants - I don't actually like tomatoes but I am looking forward to harvesting them. My nan lives in sheltered accommodation and so does not have a garden any more... fresh toms are one of her favourite things so if we have alot I will take them to her home and perhaps the cooks can use them!

[Lesley Jay]

Your Nan will absolutely love fresh, home grown tomatoes - they are so gorgeous and home made tomato soup is delicious. My son will not eat veg but loves my tomato soup!