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Which tomato shoot to pinch?

7 replies

ManxRhyme · 30/05/2023 11:56

Been many years since I grew tomatoes. And I can't remember which shoots to pinch. The truss seems to be forming at the end of a branch and there isn't that pretty 90 degree angle like the pictures. So wise gardeners, do I need to pinch out A, B, C or D? Or none 😳?

Which tomato shoot to pinch?
Which tomato shoot to pinch?
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BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/05/2023 13:29

1st question - are the cordon or bush?

Bush, pinch nothing.

Cordon, follow up the main stem and pinch out any stems that aren't flower stalks and that grow from a point between the main stem and a leaf joint.

ManxRhyme · 30/05/2023 14:39

Cordon. I know the theory but the plant doesn't look like the books 🤔

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BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/05/2023 15:19

I can't actually see the relevant bits on your photos. I'll see if any of mine currently have a pinchable shoot I can get a decent pic of...

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/05/2023 15:31

Right.

This is a flower stem. It grows directly out of a straight part of the main stem. There is no leaf coming out of the same place on that bit of stem.

Do not pinch.

Which tomato shoot to pinch?
BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/05/2023 15:33

This - C - is a side shoot that needs pinching. It grows directly out of the joint between the main stem (B) and a leaf (A).

Which tomato shoot to pinch?
BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/05/2023 15:37

It's harder to identify if it's larger, but count the number of things coming away from the 'junction': 3 = flower (main stem × 2 + flower); 4 = sideshoot (main stem x2 + side shoot + leaf)

ManxRhyme · 30/05/2023 17:59

Thank you! I'll start from the bottom and work my way up using that system.

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