Friday, November 18, 2011

Can indeterminate vine tomato plants be pruned of of new growth at top and grown shorter?

i have some vine tomato plants growing inside this winter.at least i think they are vine.i had so many seeds i harvested i cant tell what type they are now.but they are about 2 to 3 feet tall now,and i am limited to height.in there location.so i pinched off the newest growth today.at the top.they are very healthy with no blossoms yet.are about 8 weeks old now,will this keep them short.and how long till i can expect fruit? thank you.this is my first attempt at indoor tomato's.they are on a window sill,with southern exposure.along with peppers ,and other veggies.very stong looking at this point.side shoots have long stems with about 9 to 10 leafs each at this point and growing longer every day.any help would be great,waiting for fruit" in northeast USA.

Can indeterminate vine tomato plants be pruned of of new growth at top and grown shorter?
I experimented doing so outdoors last Summer while they were flowering and fruiting. Let them grow about 3/4 the height you wish. Cut back so that a cluster of flowers is at the tip of the vine, and pinch out the buds that begin to grow sprouts at the leaves just below the flowers (between the base of each leaf and the main stem. You will have to do this 2--3 times per week. If you stop, they will take off growing again.





Other responders were correct about need for a means of pollination.





If you need more fruit, let one or more shoots 'get away from you' until them produce blooms. As far as when they will first fruit, check the seed packet--the stated 120 days (or whatever) is date from planting seed to first mature fruit.
Reply:Pinching is o.k. but formation of the


fruits requires pollination of the flowers which is not happening naturally indoors, so a little help is needed. Pollinating with with q-tips works; Bee well.
Reply:Hello,


You have some good advice already, and to which I would like to add a link to get some "Blossom Set", to help with your pollination concerns.


I've used this in the past with good results.


Check it out: http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?...





Regards, and Happy Holidays!
Reply:Yes


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