Comments on: Maximizing Tomato Yield

By: cheese

cheese — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:59:21 +0000

I have to agree with John – too much sunlight isn’t something we have to worry about here in Ireland, particularly when the balcony only get direct sunlight until 2ish each day.

The cherry tomatoes are determinate, you are right. I have to confess I didn’t think that would have had a bearing on our decision to prune.

I have left some flowers on the larger plants but my intuition tells me that may be very wishful thinking at this stage with the light we get. Earlier in the summer, someone suggested surrounding the plants in the greenhouse with a reflective surface (tinfoil on cardboard) to maximize the light. I’m sorry I haven’t tried that now!

By: John

John — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:56:10 +0000

In Ireland I would say that there is no such thing as too much sun light!

Interesting post. Are you suggesting that tomatos that are still only at the flower stage are too late and wont develop into fruit at this point? Or are you only pruning leaf still?
I still have a pile of yellow flowers on some plants and am praying for that “indian summer”…

Is the cherry tomato determinate? I didn’t think it was necessary to prune determinates.

Re. 1 vine or 2 or let the suckers grow? I vote 2.

By: Prue

Prue — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:45:14 +0000

Make sure they don’t get too much sunlight or you will get sunscald and they will be inedible. Pruning suckers is a matter of choice, some gardeners do, some don’t, and no one seems to think it really makes a difference either way unless they are fanatical. All the best with the potted tomatoes! I am sure with time they will ripen just fine.