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Post by Chuckles on Jun 28, 2009 12:43:11 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 12, 2009 18:45:54 GMT
Well I haven't taken mine down to 3 but have done some selective snipping.
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Post by Spruance on Jul 12, 2009 21:14:01 GMT
Sorry Chuckles I couldn't be bothered to read through the whole article previously so didn't really understand the point of your thread either.  Anyway, having searched the article for the number 3, I now see the point they are making although personally I think that is going a little far. I agree though that it is a good idea to reduce the leaves on GH tomatoes as they do indeed obstruct free airflow around the plants. This year I have done mine before they succumb to any problems, unlike last year and it does seem to have made a difference. I have cut away all of the lower leaves (from ground level to around 18 inches - 45cm - up) and have reduced each leaf stem by half across the rest of the plants. The outdoor plants have been left fully intact as the problem shouldn't really arise outdoors. |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 12, 2009 21:26:56 GMT
Sorry Chuckles I couldn't be bothered to read through the whole article previously so didn't really understand the point of your thread either. Seems you weren't alone |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 13, 2009 6:35:36 GMT
Sorry Chuckles...I only read the first bit too.... But I have been thinking about it as my toms have gone berserk this year....I spent yesterday crawling about cutting off all the lower leaves that have suddenly become several miles long (feels like...). I got bitten all over and had to avoid all the tiny baby toads leaping about in there but it was worth it as I can now actually get to the base of all the plants to water properly..... ;D |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 13, 2009 6:52:34 GMT
What a shame the book's a bit pricey at 20 dollars... a bit cheaper and I'd have suggested we buy a copy for GWD and have a trial next year: plants of choice, two of each, one pair grown the Polish way, one 'as normal'.
One two thoughts:
my Japanese Black (courtesy Amo - where's Amo, btw?) is a very elegant plant with few leaves - I wonder if it's also a very natural plant?
didn't Phil the P suggest somewhere here recently that there was a trend in America to leave the sideshoots we normally nip out in place, but cut, to provide extra leaves? Was that for outdoor toms?
OM.
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 14, 2009 13:00:15 GMT
Ooooh sounds like you do what I do with long articles Spruance, ctrl F and search for a word ? The article is a bit far fetched imo but some folk will do anything to make money  and no doubt some suckers will fall for it. Like OM said " the book's a bit pricey at 20 dollars. Don't they say plants need leaves to draw up moisture etc for them to grow. If you go on that theory I'd say maybe it's leave a leaf top, middle and bottom ;D I've read somewhere about leaving the side shoots on for a bigger crop but you need to support the plant more to cope with the extra weight, sure thats what I read. I reckon it is a trend they have in America OM, read that somewhere too ;D I decide to act early Spruance and keep the airflow better to help prevent problems, and I've topped them too. Other years I've let them reach the GH roof and they end up all bent ;D Oh 4P I did laugh at what you said, what a sight that must have been ;D the things we do for our veggies ;D |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 14, 2009 13:26:52 GMT
Well, my tomteam, I have tracked down a 'free to download pdf' version of 20 dollarsworth of pure gold at www.scribd.com/doc/7357931/Organic-Tomato-MagicYou have to subscribe first, but it's instant, and the 'secret' is revealed in all its glory. I could tell you, but that would spoil the surprise and delight you'll experience at getting round the wonga obstacle... I have several small plants as yet unmolested, so I'll be trying it with some of those, and next year maybe we can have a full GWD trial! OM |
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Post by Spruance on Jul 14, 2009 13:44:44 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 14, 2009 17:54:11 GMT
 well done. Certainly blows my theory out of the water doesn't it  Well I molested mine again this afternoon, before seeing the secret I do have several young plants at about 6" high though that are rooted side shoots, might be worth having a go with them if the make the full size plant stage  I have 3 of the same variety but I can't remember which variety they are. All the same I could do a leave all leaves, a usual molesting and the 3 leaves with them.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 19, 2009 19:19:42 GMT
I succumbed to fiddling with me toms too... I have some 'spares' scattered around, in tubs or odd corners, so they're doubly disadvantaged: not in prime positions and not even my real reserve plants... they went to neighbours ages ago. These were what were passed over, destined for the compost heap but given a reprieve as space became available.
Anyway, they've been reduced to a topknot of leaves, and we'll see if they suddenly spring to life.
OM.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 20, 2009 6:25:17 GMT
Do tell...I can't get that link to load  And my tomatoes are growing like triffids despite my hacking leaves off every time I water.......what is this secret pleeeease? |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Aug 30, 2009 8:15:05 GMT
Do tell...I can't get that link to load And my tomatoes are growing like triffids despite my hacking leaves off every time I water.......what is this secret pleeeease? sorry, 4P - bleedin' bookmarks failed again, never saw the question... remove all but the top three leaf 'branches' and continue to remove the lowest as the plant progresses upwards. I came in with a suggestion: having warded off blight (well, it looked like blight) on a tall tom tucked in a relatively airless corner of the PT by simply removing the offending leaves from sight, leaving a topknot of green growth, and having brought its precious heavy crop (twas the Japanese triffle/truffle) to full ripeness weeks later, I wonder if this was the old man's real 'secret'... plants stripped of their leaves don't get (or don't show) blight - so you merrily carry on to full cropping in blissful ignorance. Plus, maybe, the extra airflow around naked plants makes them less susceptible in the first place - though arguably less pleasing to look at. OM |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 30, 2009 8:46:31 GMT
That makes sense doesn't it? I have carried on hacking in blissful ignorance too all summer - lots of tomatoes and no blight......and still they keep growing! |
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a lot of what it is says is true as far as I know. I'm sure not going to pay for the pleasure but does anyone know which 3 ;D
and no doubt some suckers will fall for it. Like OM said " the book's a bit pricey at 20 dollars.
I have 3 of the same variety but I can't remember which variety they are. All the same I could do a leave all leaves, a usual molesting and the 3 leaves with them.
And my tomatoes are growing like triffids despite my hacking leaves off every time I water.......what is this secret pleeeease?