What does "Pinch out side shoots as they appear" mean when growing tomatoes?

Question

I'm trying to grow tomatoes (grosse lisse) At the moment they are in a 40 cm pot and the plants are about 50cm high and getting crowded, I'm planning on repotting them so they have more room. I also plan on staking them to help them stay upright. Does all this sound right? Everything I read says to Pinch out side shoots as they appear and i don't know what that means.

When should I start to get tomatoes?

Answer 1

that means you should pinch off all the little shoots that sprout where there is a split in the branches, or the crotch of the stalk. theres the main stalk going up, then it splits off to a branch, where the branch meets the stalk, thats the crotch, when you see another branch sprouting there, pinch it off, have done it for many years on tomatoes, it does not harm the plant, and prevents the stalk from splitting, and gives more tomatoes in the end. figure about 6 weeks from the time you see flowers where the tomatoes will grow intil you get some "maters"

Answer 2

After you have planted out your seedling, making sure you have quite a large stake as grosse lisse are strong , tall plants

The stalks have their little stalks oing up the main stem , as they are growing you will see small leaves begining to come on the same stalk , that already has a shoot with leaves already on it..These baby leaves or shoots you need to pinch out or the plant will have too much leaves and branches , taking away from the fruiting.

When mine get to about three and a half feet, I cut off the top as it helps you have more , stronger fruit.

Answer 3

Pinch out means remove using your fingers/nails. Too many new shoots growing on established stems will crowd the plant and probably reduce the amount of healthy fruit.

Answer 4

When a new limb appears in the joint where another larger limb is growing from the main stalk is what you are referring to. They are also known by some folks as suckers. And yes , it is helpful to pinch them off so the plant can focus its energy on producing tomatoes , not growing new limbs. You should have blooms approximately 8 weeks after establishing plants. I find that spraying miracle gro on the plants ( foliar feeding ) when they start blooming and every two weeks afterward aids in production. Yes , staking will be beneficial. Old pantyhose cut in strips are ideal for tying the plants to the stakes , be sure though to leave growing room when you tie them.

Answer 5

grosse lisse are a big tomato, so really you should have 1 plant per pot, when a branch extends out from the stem pinch out the little one thats starts to form in the fork of the plant.you may need 2 stakes