PINCHING OUT TOMATO SIDE SHOOTS

I mentioned the other day that I had bought three tomato plants: Alicante, Italian Plum, and Gardeners Delight.  My tomatoes will have to be grown outside as I have no greenhouse as such, only a mini-greenhouse, and their success depends very much on the weather as much as my care.  I will give them as sheltered a sunny spot as I can find.  These three varieties, Alicante, Italian Plum and Gardeners Delight, are not the usual Tumbling Toms that I have grown in the past but will grow tall and upright.  I don't think Gro Bags are deep enough for tomatoes and so mine will go in large pots embedded in Gro Bags.  See clip below by Monty Don.  When growing tomatoes like this you really need to pinch out the side-shoots that jut out between the stem and a leaf.  If you don't then you end up with this massive, almost uncontrollable, bush that is not easily tied in and supported. 



Tomato side shoots between main stem and leaf joint

Tomato side shoots removed by carefully snapping off. 
Take care not to rip the stem.

If you look at the stem you can see tiny white 'hairs' jutting out.  Some say that these are to prevent insects from climbing up the stems.  Plant them quite deep, burying the stem past a couple of inches or so past the first leaf joints, and the stem will throw out roots which gather more water and nutrients to feed the plant.   


BBC Gardeners' World, Monty Don, Video Clip, Growing Tomatoes in Gro Bags and Pots

BBC Gardeners' World, Monty Don article on growing tomatoes.

Already my tomatoes are making little flowers.