limiting indeterminate tomato height

jarity 4/19/2016, 11:37 am

Hello,
I am considering indeterminate tomatoes this year. I have a rooftop garden 2 x 3 ft.
Previously i have grown determinate but would like to try indeterminate this yr. to maximize production. Problem is i am limited to a 2ft wide times 3ft length planter. Trellis ht. is limited to 3 ft.
Could i top the main stem at 3ft. and let 2 or 3 suckers grow from the bottom and top all at 3 ft. forcing them to spread out ?

Or-could i train 2 or 3 main stems to grow down as they reach the 3 ft height weaving it up and down thru the trellis over the 3ft width?
has anyone tried containing tomatoes in this fashion before?
thanx for suggestions

landarch 4/19/2016, 1:52 pm

I wonder if you could just keep training them sideways on the trellis in lieu of topping off (concerned about sun scalding any fruit)?

jarity 4/19/2016, 2:24 pm

i take it you mean like a zig zag from side to side as the stems climb.

**Kelejan** 4/19/2016, 4:17 pm

Give it a try, jarity.

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But a bit more exaggerated than that.

CapeCoddess 4/19/2016, 4:27 pm

I wove up and down and back up last year. Only topped off to get the green ones to ripen up before the season was over.

I'm guessing you'll have 3 plants along that trellis so maybe you could try 2 or 3 ways and see which you like best. That's part of the fun of gardening, we get to experiment.
Very Happy

CC

jarity 4/19/2016, 5:16 pm

Also since posting this have read up on a third variety called semi-determinate.
But...i cannot find any plants and it is too late to try from seeds.
thanx for all of the suggestions.

**Scorpio Rising** 4/19/2016, 7:15 pm

I agree with CC, let one go whole hog, top one hard, and zigzag the 3rd. See how it goes! The whole hogged might do the best, in my previous experience with conventional, unconfined gardens. limiting indeterminate tomato height 3170584802

limiting indeterminate tomato height 3170584802

AND keep detailed notes about whatever you decide!

**camprn** 4/19/2016, 7:43 pm

You could also train the vines overhead.

**sanderson** 4/20/2016, 3:39 am

I have Homestead marked as a semi-determinant. I had a Roma get 8' tall in a bed. Go figure.

jarity 4/20/2016, 1:04 pm

thanx for the suggestions,
after 4 or 5 hours combing the web i do think the suggestion by cc is what i will try. But instead of 3 plants i think to go with 2. Very confusing as my research shows,one plant per sq. if pruned to a single stem. another says i plant per 18" min.(all indeterminate of course.)
So 2 early girl plants @ 18" and using the other front spaces for salads. That is for my 2 rows 3 column 2' x 3' rooftop garden space
hope this works!!
(and will keep notes as suggested)

**Scorpio Rising** 4/20/2016, 10:03 pm

Notes. Yes. study

Go for it! limiting indeterminate tomato height 3170584802

reynajrainwater 4/21/2016, 1:22 am

Just adding my 2 cents. I planted 1 tomato plant per square foot and have kept them to a single stem. They are doing great.

Windmere 4/21/2016, 7:39 am

jarity wrote:Also since posting this have read up on a third variety called semi-determinate.
But...i cannot find any plants and it is too late to try from seeds.
thanx for all of the suggestions.

Jarity, I thought I would also add my 2 cents. I know it is too late for seed starting, but for next year: There is a great semi-determinate called "Lizzano." It is a "patio" hybrid and it heavily produces cherry size tomatoes till first frost.

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limiting indeterminate tomato height

limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

like a zig zag?

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

I will try Kelejan's configuration

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

i will try the shot gun approach as per cc

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height

Re: limiting indeterminate tomato height


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