Trimming my tomato plants, question.

[KreegDaddy]

Hello Tomatovillians!

I have a question to ask. I'm wondering if it will hurt my tomato plants if I perform some light trimming. I am growing in a 3x6 foot tray, hydroponically. It seems that I have planted some things that can grow pretty big and some lower growing plants are going to be shaded soon.

One of the lower plants is my watermelon, which has just began growing its first watermelon and I pollenated two more female flowers this morning, i would really love to get these to harvest, but Im afraid I'm going to have to trim my tomatos and my cucumbers for it to make it. I'm may be somewhat of a pickle if my tomatos and cucumbers will be hurt by trimming.

If anyone has any advice for concerning trimming the tomatos and cucumbers, I would love to consider it. These things are growing sooo fast, I'm going to have to do something soon!

Also, how can I post more than one pic?

Thanks in advance!

KD

[EarlyStarter]

I grow a lot of my plants using a single stem method which means I am constantly pruning my tomatoes. You'll be fine...maybe take it a little at a time and see how your plants react if you're still worried. Not as certain about the cukes, I would imagine also fine if removing the lower leaves underneath where the plant has already produced fruit.

[KreegDaddy]

Thanks for your fast reply EarlyStarter! Ok, i feel better about it now, Ill do some light trimming today and keep an eye on 'em. Sometimes i just need a little reasurance, I'd be really disappointed to ruin my plants.

Happy Gardening!!!!

[saltmarsh]

On the indeterminates, if you prune them to two stems and remove the tops of those stems just above the 4th cluster they should be about 40 inches tall. Topping will make the tomatoes a little larger and ripen about 2 weeks earlier.

[EarlyStarter]

I didn't even touch on determinate vs. indeterminate, so thanks for bringing it up! Kreeg, what are you growing? It makes a difference, to some extent imo....I assumed you were growing indeterminate varieties. I still prune my determinate plants (until I find a method metter suited for me) but not to nearly the same degree. I started growing hydroponically, and am learning the soil stuff over the past several years as I go. There is a lot out here in terms of hydroponic grow system help if you look in the right places. Best of luck and keep us informed!

[KreegDaddy]

I'm growing Rutgers but Im not sure whether they are a determinate or indeterminate, I have read that they can come in either variety. I planted these from seed and it was before I knew that there were two types of tomatos and I dont recall what the seed package said.

Is there a way to tell what they are by looking at them?

Thanks again!

[FaithHopeLove]

There is a way to tell the difference between indeterminate and determinate but I myself do not know........

[saltmarsh]

I'm growing several of the indeterminate Rutgers this year. I know they are indeterminate because of the description at my seed source. Unfortunately, Carol is sold out on this variety for now.
http://knapps-fresh-vegies.netfirms.com/rutgers.html

I suggest checking your seed source if possible, or wait about 2 months and I should have saved seeds available, good lord willing and the creek don't rise. Claud