Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Gardening

busy being free

(24 posts)

18. I am not sure what I have but mine is an heirloom

Reply to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #5)

Sat Jul 14, 2012, 11:46 AM

Jul 2012

(actually I have a bunch of tomato plants!) and it is growing like crazy, despite the drought. I find it fascinating because the other varieties are responding to the intense heat/dry conditions in various ways. But this kind is actually thriving in it, for some reason.

My question is like the other one: should I prune it a bit? I believe I read somewhere that you should basically just leave the main stem and prune the rest and that if you don't, you won't get much fruit. This plant is also starting to flower but no tomatoes forming as of yet. This is why I am concerned.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

22 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

leggy tomato plants -- any suggestions? [View all] grasswire Jul 2012 OP

At this point, I don't think you can do much about it. Denninmi Jul 2012 #1

it's not the appearance... grasswire Jul 2012 #2

indeterminates need to be staked or caged..... NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #5

I am not sure what I have but mine is an heirloom busy being free Jul 2012 #18

it's not as simple as that - in fact, the more you prune, the less fruit you might get - NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #20

Thanks for that advice. I have been pruning mine for years. Explains a lot. JDPriestly Oct 2012 #22

Well, how about a cylinder type cage made out of fence wire? Denninmi Jul 2012 #3

Patio plants are dwarfs and compact - indeterminates are just genetically "leggy" - NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #4

Bamboo stakes and velcro ties. beac Jul 2012 #6

oooh velcro ties grasswire Jul 2012 #7

And the velcro can be reused year after year. beac Jul 2012 #12

well, that's about how leggy mine look. grasswire Jul 2012 #13

Sounds like you've just got normal indeterminate legginess. beac Jul 2012 #14

Less nitrogen for the patio. More potash and more nitrogen for the in-ground. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #8

what I use is Alaska fish *sauce* grasswire Jul 2012 #9

Fish meal isn't good for tomatoes, even in "sauce" form. You've got an imbalance. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #10

well, you disagree with my local expert grasswire Jul 2012 #11

I'm not familiar with Sunset magazine, but I am familiar with tomatoes. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #15

You are correct kurtzapril4 Jul 2012 #16

Not just leggy. Too much nitrogen and you've got wonderfully green leaves and underdeveloped fruits HopeHoops Jul 2012 #17

Sorry to bother you with questions: busy being free Jul 2012 #19

Use a low-intensity "garden tone" over all of it. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #21