Tomatoes - when to take the tops off?

[TheMoreItSnows]

1st time tomato grower, got Sungold and Black Crim.

Sungolds are approaching 4 ft tall, lots of flowers and little green toms - I read that you take the tops off when they reach 5 trusses, but each plant has 2 or so main stems, each stem has about 3 trusses.

There are couple more trusses at the top coming fast.

Do I take the tops out now - does that help the little toms ripen? If you don't take the tops out do they put all their energy into more trusses rather than ripening the little toms? Thanks

They will still ripen but it will take longer. I would top them now and concentrate on the fruit you have.

I thought as much - thank you, will give them until the weekend and chop with vigour..... Thanks!

Agree, pinch out now (above the next set of leaves after the truss rather then directly above the truss, iyswim).