Advice on pinching out shoots on tomato plants

Hello everyone
I'm growing a Sweet Million tomato plant in my background. On the instructions it says "The plant has a strong central stem that should be tied to a stout cane as they grow. Pinch out all side shoots when they reach 2.5cm in length."
Does this mean remove every shoot off the main stem, or just slice it off at the end when it is 2.5cm? Do you pinch out the side shoots which come off the side shoots?

Sorry for the basic questions, and many thanks in advance for your help.
Chris

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Chris.

Coming from the main stem of tomatoes you have 'branches' with leaves. Where that branch joins the main stem side shoots grow and they have to be pinched out with finger and thumb.
When the tomato has got to the height you want it nip out the top.

Basic questions are fine, we all had to start somewhere and we never stop learning about gardening.

 

Yes. I find they just snap off at the "armpit" junction with the main stem - if you bend them a bit one way and then backwards the other way.

 

I use a knife to slice them through as I can't reach them that well in my greenhouse.

 

I try to avoid using a knife as I think there is a risk, if one plant is infected, that that is spread to others. Although sometimes the sideshoots grow so large, when my back is turned!, that I have to use a knife.

 

Overnight eh? That's where you're going wrong ... you shouldn't leave them that long

 

Many thanks Sheal, for the reply and the welcome.
Can I just ask a couple of follow-up questions please? Firstly, if I've already allowed a secondary stem to grow how can I tell it apart from a leaf branch? Will it have different types of leaves, or do you identify it by the fact that it doesn't grow directly off the main stem?

Secondly, am I right in thinking that I leave the leaf branches attached to the main stem?
Thank you once again.

Chris