A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2006 thankful tomatoe tip

this tip for growing tomatoes is really helpful-i use it all the time, and it is VERY simple to do. ALL you have to do is cut off a few branches from the plant that doesn't have any flowers on it--not too many branches, you don't want to put the plant into shock, but "enough". doing this gives the tomatoe plant more "energy" to focus on growing a stronger stem and bigger, better, and more fruit. do this every 1.5 weeks or so, and do it depending on the size of the plant. remember NOT ALL THE BRANCHES< ONLY SOME, IF NOT A FEW. This tip really helps me, and everybody i know that does this--post a reply to tell me wht you think or how it works out for you!! good luck, and happy planting!!!

Thank you...this is my first year growing them and thats good to know

Okay, I'll put myself up for a giggle or two from ya'll...

a beginners question: when you say cut just a few branches of the plant that doesn't have flowers on it yet,

do you mean the branch that doesn't have flowers on it yet, or the whole plant that doesn't have flowers on it yet? LOL I know, pathetic, right?



All of our plants have flowers on them, but not all the branches do. So, hence the "do I even have a right to try to grow these things... syndrome"..

on edit to add: Penny, at least you understood the tip... I say, hats off to ya!

Karen, I understand your confusion...I'll explain.

You cut the branches that have no flowers. The wording was a little confusing is all.

You can also take the branch you cut off and place it in either a pot or in the ground and water like you do the "mother" plant and you will get another tomato plant as they are capable of growing roots from all parts of their branches and trunk. You may want to dip the cut end in a little rooting hormone before planting, but I don't think it is neccessary.

Best of luck to you:) You'll do fine!

I think I should have cut some branches off my plants (tomatoes). The plants are doing better than ever, except, they are too tall. Can you "top" the plants and keep them short. i have 5 ft. cages and my plants are 9 ft. tall. we had some wind yesterday and now half my plants are bent over. the tomatoes were big boys and better boys.
mlowe

Thanks for the tip! This is going to be very interesting.

I think I'll try that on my non-producing sweet 100 (cherry tomato) and the others as well. Thank you