Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Pinching out growing tips

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Pinching out growing tips

    Hi
    I think I read somewhere that you can pinch out the growing tips of toms to increase bushiness. My questions are:
    Does this apply to cordon varieties too?
    Can I do this with chillies, peppers and aubergines?
    How big does the plant have to be before I can do this and how much do I take out?
    Are there any other veg that this would be good for?

    Sorry about all the questions but I just ain't got a clue
    AKA Angie

  • #2
    I was told to pinch out the growing tips of my aubergines to get bushier plants. Dunno about the rest
    WPC F Hobbit, Shire police

    Comment


    • #3
      If a cordon variety is the kind that grows tall , then yes, once the tomato plant has produced about 6 bunches (trusses?) of tomatoes, you pinch out the top to stop it growing forever and to direct its energy into finishing off the tomatoes it's already made. I haven't grown the other things, but I should think the same principle would apply.

      Comment


      • #4
        Bush tomatoes don't need any pinching out as they 'bush' naturally! Cordon types need there side shoots pinching out and when they have grown six trusses. It's usual to pinch out the growing tip one leaf above the last truss, late in the season!
        My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
        to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

        Diversify & prosper


        Comment


        • #5
          As for the chillis, peppers and aubergines, they will all benefit from pinching the tops out to help them bush up and produce more flowers. Don't try to get too many fruits off the peppers and aubergines though, aim for about 6 per plant, we don't get a long enough season in the UK for fruit growth (unless you can extend it with a heated greenhouse).
          Mark

          Vegetable Kingdom blog

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Capsid View Post
            As for the chillis, peppers and aubergines, they will all benefit from pinching the tops out to help them bush up and produce more flowers. Don't try to get too many fruits off the peppers and aubergines though, aim for about 6 per plant, we don't get a long enough season in the UK for fruit growth (unless you can extend it with a heated greenhouse).

            At what stage can these plants have the tops pinched, Ie how tall should the plants be alowed to grow b4 punching the tips?

            Also I was wondering if different types of chillies would have different requirements with regards to height to get the best crop, Ie Habanero, jalapino's and aso on? Same with different types of pepper plants! Any help will be greatfully taken on board thanks!
            Live like you never lived before!

            Laugh Like you never laughed before!

            Love like you never loved before!

            One Love & Unity


            http://iriejans.blogspot.com/

            Comment


            • #7
              For peppers and aubergines, I pinch out when they are about 6-8" tall. Since chillis are in the same family as peppers then I'd do the likewise for them.
              Mark

              Vegetable Kingdom blog

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks Capsid!

                This will be my first time growing for many years! I have never grown chillies or the like from seed b4 but did ok with toms and cucks in the past! last year I bout 3 chilli plants ready grown and in fruit fron B&Q they did quite well for me. I have decided to try quite a few different types this year!

                All my seedlings are doing quite well so far sitting in my bathroom most of the time. Peeping toms lol chillis, peppers and all sorts going on in there and things growing all over the place, in every room on every windowsill


                I want it to warm up a bit more b4 they all go out into the greenhouse for good!
                Live like you never lived before!

                Laugh Like you never laughed before!

                Love like you never loved before!

                One Love & Unity


                http://iriejans.blogspot.com/

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks everyone, great advice!
                  AKA Angie

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    When you pinch out the tip of the plant it forces the plant to throw out side shoots or branches. You then get a nice bushy plant rather than a tall straggly one.
                    Hope this helps anyone who may be growing for the first time.

                    And when your back stops aching,
                    And your hands begin to harden.
                    You will find yourself a partner,
                    In the glory of the garden.

                    Rudyard Kipling.sigpic

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by bramble View Post
                      When you pinch out the tip of the plant it forces the plant to throw out side shoots or branches. You then get a nice bushy plant rather than a tall straggly one.
                      Hope this helps anyone who may be growing for the first time.
                      It does indeed, so many thanks toyou and Capsid
                      WPC F Hobbit, Shire police

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        No tomato plants need to be pinched out.
                        All pinching out and pruning side shoots does is reduce production.
                        Looks like more people have fallen for this old garden humbug.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by plainleaf View Post
                          No tomato plants need to be pinched out.
                          All pinching out and pruning side shoots does is reduce production.
                          Looks like more people have fallen for this old garden humbug.
                          I don't agree.
                          Mark

                          Vegetable Kingdom blog

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Capsid View Post
                            I don't agree.
                            Neither do I. Bush tomatoes don't need pinching out as they bush quite happily on the own accord. Cordon types however need side shoots pinching out otherwise the whole plant becomes so conjested that you don't get any light to the plant and it's a nightmare to support - know this from experience from the first year I grew any . I also pinch out the top of cordons, but only when they reach the height I want them to get to, be that the top of the support, greenhouse, whatever, otherwise they will go on forever.

                            Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

                            Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Just had a thought, do peas need pinching out? I know sweetpeas need it, but don't know whether I should pinch out my pea plants.
                              Last edited by Jenegade; 26-03-2009, 12:38 PM.
                              http://jenegademaster.blogspot.com/

                              Comment

                              Latest Topics

                              Collapse

                              Recent Blog Posts

                              Collapse
                              Working...
                              X