Totem Tomato - Pinching Out

BigDonut

Hi All,

I have some tomato related questions.

First is in regards to my Tumbling Tom.
How tall should it grow?
Do I need to do any pinching out? I don't think so from what I've read.


Next is My Totem Tomato.
It is getting quite tall over 1m now and no sign of stopping.

When should I stop it growing? I've read that you can pinch something at the top to stop it growing but not sure where to start.
Here is an image of the top of my plant. Can someone suggest where the pinching should take place?


Next problem is to do with side shoots. I've read a lot on various sites including this one about stopping side shoots so growth is concentrated on the fruit.
However, I have toruble identifying side shoots.
For example, Here is a picture of my plant:


AS you can see there are two strong stems. Does one of these count as a side shoot? I think the right hand one might be but it is very thick now so didn't want to remove it by mistake.


This is my first time growing anything myself so I'm learing as I go. Thanks to all here for the help and advice so far. I've already enjoyed a few lots of lettuce from my window box

SKIPPY54

Hi,Firstly congratulations!that must be the tallest totem ever(if it is totem)I am not sure it is,mine are just 30cm tall with around 5 or 6 trusses and will not grow much higher.They are bush types wich dont need the side shoots nipping out or the top.Not sure about tumbling tom shouldn't it be tumbling?
If by the looks of it you have grown them indoors they may be forced a bit,you need to put them in more light.to stop them growing higher just snip the top off,leaving flowers to produce fruit, enough to satisfy.To take out side shoots,in between the main stem and a leaf,just in the joint you will see a small(or in your case large)set of leaves growing,just like another tom just nip it out,flowers tend to grow from the stem just above.I hope this helps.

BigDonut

Hi,

Thanks for the info.

I bought the plants small from B&Q. The picture is what B&Q called a Patio Tomato (Totem). I think its over 1m in height since the cane it is tied to is a 1.2m cane.



I thought the tumbling toms should be tumbling and I suppose some of the "branches" are but they are still very much above the level of the pot they are in.

I'm growing them indoors because I don't have any garden space(:( live in a flat). I have them in front of a big window thats south facing which gets the sun for most of the day.

I will see if there is somewhere else I can put them for a while to see if that helps.
Had a thought, the window they are in front of is not a lcear window. It is a bathroom window so sort of corrugated effect on the glass. Could this have an effect?

SKIPPY54

hi there Big Donut these are my totem tomatoes squat little plants just hoe they should grow , they are outside

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm417/SKIPPY54_2008/gardens/Image053.jpg

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm417/SKIPPY54_2008/gardens/Image054.jpg

keep yours in the window for the light , it looks as though someone has swapped the ticket on yours ,as they look to be something else

you cant really see the trusses on them but they are there

BigDonut

Thanks for the pictures.

The info that came with the plant said they should be much shorter, I assumed I had a freak one.

Looking at your leaves, some are similar to my totem ones but it does look like I have some other tomato plant. I wonder what it is.

Quite a lot of my totem leaves are dry and crispy to the touch and slightly curled at the edges where as your leaves look sleaker and more "oily".
I think my leaves might be like that from overwatering but I'm not sure.

Have moved the totem to the living room window now which is north facing but should be better for good sunlight.

brucie_baby

BigDonut wrote: »

Thanks for the pictures.

The info that came with the plant said they should be much shorter, I assumed I had a freak one.

Looking at your leaves, some are similar to my totem ones but it does look like I have some other tomato plant. I wonder what it is.

Quite a lot of my totem leaves are dry and crispy to the touch and slightly curled at the edges where as your leaves look sleaker and more "oily".
I think my leaves might be like that from overwatering but I'm not sure.

Have moved the totem to the living room window now which is north facing but should be better for good sunlight.[/QUOT

Hi you will probably find this Totem is a Moneymaker if it comes from B+Q They are their biggest seller. Make sure you nip out side shoots and feed tomato food once a week

wssla00

Hi when I nip out the side shoots on a money maker do I just pick off all the side shoot new growth?

Cheers

pookienoodle

http://www.tomatogrowing.co.uk/

Is an excellent website for tomato info.
quite an old thread this so the O.P may not respond.

wssla00

Thank you that is very useful!