tomatoes

can anyone tell me gardeners delight tomatoes should they be grown as cordons and side shoots removed or grow as bush and side shoots left to grow as iv been given both sets of advice and being new to gardening not sure which one to use many thanks

 

These are cherry tomatoes, so shouldn't be too heavy for growing as a bush. I grew them last year as cordons, they did look a bit heavy and brittle for bushes. Try some of both!

 

We've done them both ways. We usually grow one or two plants in the GH and train these as cordons, otherwise they take up too much space, and a half dozen outside which we let bush (with support). We seems to get a bigger crop from the bush plants.
This year I'm really hedging my bets. I've two cordons in the GH, four cordons in a polytunnel and four bushes outside.

 

What's a cordon???

 

A tomato grown as a cordon has its' side shoots pinched out and the main stem supported on a cane:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0505/tomatoes.asp
For more details and pictures see:
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000254

 

Thanks Liz - I can impress people with my tomato knowledge now :D

 

I was just reading that if you water and feed to get maximum crops, you decrease flavour. Is this true?

 

Now that's interesting....it would also explain the tasteless produce we get lumbared with from the supermarket

 

I have 2 grow bags with 3 tomato in each, 3 different kinds, 2 gardeners delight, 2 plum and 2 money maker. In the one all 3 plants are nice and green, but the 2nd one, the leaves are starting to go yellow, is that too much water or not enought? The one closer to the door is going yellow, so the other one gets a little hotter, and I think I put the same amount in both.
Cheers
Trevor

 

Hi Trevor
My money would be on too much water - just as bad for the plants as too little.
Could you not judge the amount of "soggyness" by gently lifting the bags and comparing their weights.
I don't use grow bags for my GH toms, but use grow bags to fill large pots. I find I can judge the dryness of the pots and if watering is required, by gently tipping the pots with my toe. A dry pot weighs next to nothing and an over watered pot is pretty heavy.

 

Hi Grinch, I'm growing gardeners delight this year as well. My dad tells me that the side shoots must be pinched out because they become dominant and stop the plant producing much fruit.
They must also be tied to a cane because the weight of the fruit will make the stem droop and once that happens you can't straighten it without it breaking.

 

I find string easier to use for supporting cordons than poles - see left of pic

 

I have some tomato's which i am growing in Cordon fashion in my green house. I am nevous when taking off the side shoots that i may be removing the start of the flowers. is there any rule to this or do you just take everything off that grows off the main stem off?

 

Hi Sparkle and angelad .. you seem like new guys on the block.

I haven't got a clue with this tomato this either. I'm growing Moneymaker and cherry tomatoes (the latter ones from sticking a tomato in the ground like last year!) so I'm waiting for the pros of the veggie world to answer here ...

 

Sorry, didn't say welcome to Sparkle and agelad ... hope you enjoy as much as the rest of us!