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Kentucky, U.S.A.

I am a slow learner, and learn best by the hands on method. I am growing three Diaz 5.01 plants, and they are monsters. I had one at our county fair, it was the first year and no one else showed up!!! No scales were present. I have not done any pruning (been scared too)yet. Was hoping to find some info as I do have some fat ones on the vine! Do I cull them like pumpkins? My plants have had the twisted condition, but tomatoes and plants are doing good. Directions to good info (that is easy to read) is always appreciated! Thanks, and I did catch Marv's post on premature pruning.

8/5/2015 10:09:55 PM

Allentown, PA

Hi!!

To answer your question, yes you would pick the tomato that you believe is going to be the largest, is growing the fastest, etc. and then remove the others.

When I have a mega bloom that has resulted in full pollination I don't allow any other tomato to grow on the plant. I then prune the plant to one stem then, if the tomato needs reinforcement at that time I will take some thick stretchy garden tape or a strip that I have cut from a plastic grocery bag and will reinforce the stem by placing the tape or the plastic strip under the stem near where it connects with the tomato then I take the other end and will tie it at the next leaf branch up or around the main stem and stake of the plant. (I use wooden stakes to support my plants). Take a white wash cloth or hand towel and cover the tomato to avoid sun scald.

8/6/2015 6:26:29 AM

Central NY

Seeing as it's your first time and a hands on learner with big plants, I might take a different approach ...I would be inclined to let a couple megas grow... Maybe give you some insight on how differing shapes early on might help you make decisions later ..the more tomatoes you can watch grow, the more you learn how they grow...if you have a bunch of plants goin, do what pa j says...one of my 8.41's and Zaczilla plants I snipped down to one tomato..it never went anywhere so now I'm searching again for a good one higher up on the plant ..don't be afraid to cut sucker growth off...no more than 25% of the plant at any givin time(my opinion) ...get used to how the plant grows.. ... Then next year go for gold on tightly pruned plants...good luck.. Grow some slammers!!!

8/6/2015 8:50:01 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I only have three plants, and thrilled with them! I'll do some pruning at no more than 25% and see what happens!

8/6/2015 9:58:39 AM