Tomato Suckers

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by jane0o0, May 17, 2018.

  1. jane0o0

    jane0o0 Gardener

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    Can anyone tell me if this is a huge sucker[​IMG][/url][/IMG] [​IMG][/IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     

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  2. Notty1975

    Notty1975 Gardener

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    I’d say yes it may be the stem splitting but either way I’d cut it off with something nice and sharp for a good clean cut
     
  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Its just a side shoot, most toms do that, on bush varieties you tend to leave most of them, but on the usual greenhouse varieties you take them out before they get that big, preferably.

    Suckers are something else.
     
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    • jane0o0

      jane0o0 Gardener

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      What courses the stem to split. I've cut it off but will it keep coming back
       
    • Notty1975

      Notty1975 Gardener

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      No it won’t grow back and and I suppose split is the wrong term you just don’t want the plant to waste its energy it growing a part that’s not useful
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        The stem would go on to produce fruit, but the plant would become uncontrollable if you were to let it carry on, so best to keep the plant at a single stem.
         
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        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

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          Hi,

          I was wondering about your sideshoots as the varieties you are growing are not well documented and apart from Moneymaker which is grown as a cordon, what are the heritage ones supposed to be, Cordon or Bush ?

          With MM you grow it as a cordon removing those sideshoots so you just have a single stem with the trusses coming off the stem.
          You will soon learn which are the sideshoots and can nip or cut them off when quiet small.
          Often easier to do in the AM as the stem is softer.

          If they are to be grown as a Bush, then you do not remove the sideshoots, so it creates a multi stem plant, usually a lot smaller in height.
           
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          • jane0o0

            jane0o0 Gardener

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            That tomato plant is called Indigo Cherry Drops which is a cordon though I do have 2 bush ones which are heirlooms. One is called Black Zebra Bush Cherry. Banana Legs Bush and on back of packet says don't remove side shoots. I wondering can these be grown in the same grow bag as a cordon plant.
             
          • Loki

            Loki Total Gardener

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            Hi, I definitely wouldn't grow cordon and bush together. It would end up a tangled mess. I don't even grow cordon in a grow bag for the same reason. Each to their own pot. Toms can be like mischievous children! As my grandma would say " give them an inch, they'll take a mile" :biggrin:
            Keep an eye on them and remove side shoots or they'll take over :)
            The bush ones you can grow separately without side shooting, but the cordon needs to be staked and tied in :blue thumb:
             
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