Tomatoes should I cut back, too tall

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by Sargan, Apr 10, 2021.

  1. Sargan

    Sargan Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2010
    Messages:
    212
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    South Wales
    Ratings:
    +34
    I started off with Tomato plants, and unlike others, they have all taken and really grown.
    Too early to put in an unheated greenhouse.
    A few of them are a foot tall, should I let a side shoot start and cut 6" off the main stem ? Or do I just cut main stem and it will grow a new one ?

    Never had to worry about early growth before .....

    It's just the small cherry plants that have got a spurt on ..... sowing at the start of March was obviously too soon.
     
  2. pete

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

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    47,721
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +84,376
    You can cut the tops off and use them as cuttings.
    The plants then will grow new shoots as long as you leave a couple of leaves on.
    I've been doing it all winter with a leggy plant that I have over wintered.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • misterQ

      misterQ Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 25, 2015
      Messages:
      749
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Stamford Hill, London N16 6RU
      Ratings:
      +1,770
      Do not cut along the main stem for vine-type (indeterminate) tomato plants grown in the conventional way.

      This method requires a main leader shoot - the best one is the central shoot at the end of the main stem. The fruit trusses are then allowed to develop along the main stem.

      The UK time window for producing tomatoes outdoors is between about mid May/early June to the second week of October so there may not be enough time to develop a good alternate leader from a sucker side shoot.

      The best way to deal with a lanky plant is to spiral the stem into a pot in an effort to bury the stem in the compost. Obviously, this can only be done when the stem is young and flexible.

      Directly in the ground outdoors, the stem can be buried deep in the soil at an angle with the upper young and flexible portion of the stem trained to the vertical using bamboo poles or string suspended from above.

      Cuttings are best done using sucker side shoots without harming the productivity of the parent plant.
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • pete

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

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,721
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,376
        I've cut out growing points and the cutting then becomes the replacement, imo there's lots of time for the cut down plant to make a new leader.
        My outside plants are still at the seedling stage and won't be planted out until early June.
         
      • Sargan

        Sargan Gardener

        Joined:
        Sep 17, 2010
        Messages:
        212
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        South Wales
        Ratings:
        +34
        I don't want to make a new cutting ...... what I was thinking (and maybe wrong) I could cut off just above where a side shoot is and then that side shoot would take over as the main ?
        Didn't expect them to grow so fast .. on a North facing window and yet already 12" high.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        30,688
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +45,643
        Sounds ok to me, in the past I have accidentally knocked off the growing tip, a new side shoot took over.
         
      • Sargan

        Sargan Gardener

        Joined:
        Sep 17, 2010
        Messages:
        212
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        South Wales
        Ratings:
        +34
        ...... just to be sure ... you saying I can 'take top off' and a new leader will grow OK ?
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        30,688
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +45,643
        Yes, provided you leave a side shoot below, that side shoot will grow into a new leader.
         
      • pete

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

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,721
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,376
        Well I think it will.
        Almost all plants do.
         
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Sargan

          Sargan Gardener

          Joined:
          Sep 17, 2010
          Messages:
          212
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          South Wales
          Ratings:
          +34
          Just as an update cut about 1/3 off … back to a side shoot … regrew new leader quickly.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            30,688
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +45,643
            Have you got flowers yet @Sargan ?
             
          Loading...

          Share This Page

          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
            Dismiss Notice