Pruning determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes

Thanks for the replies.? I think it was most clear when Jim said "just make sure you have ONE stem growing upward, and remove everything else."? I must confess that this is what I was thinking everyone meant, but couldn't imagine it was really true!? I guess I'll have to go take it on faith and wait and see where the tomatoes actually from from then.

Also, about determinate vs indeterminate. ? Do I understand correctly that this has to do with vining vs non-vining?? So if I can figure out if my tomato plants are determinate or not, will that dictate whether I should even prune at all?? Could someone please clarify this for me as well?

Thanks again. Rick

Rick & Group:

It really is hard for people to believe a single-stem plant can be very productive, but remember you plant every 9", so you get quite a few plants in a small space as well. And that single stem will produce a "hand" of 4-7 tomatoes every 6-8" up the stalk, until frost kills the plant (different varieties have different growth habits, so don't panic if yours doesn't follow the pattern I've described).

Determinate plants will not grow tall, but remain low. The only pruning you should do is to remove old leaves and those touching the ground, and to prevent the plants from crowding their neighbors. You do NOT remove the sucker stems, as that is where the fruit is produced.

Your nursery can tell you if the plants you have are determinate or indeterminate. Or if you know the variety you can look online. Determinate varieties produce over a shorter period of time, so don't expect to be eating tomatoes for 6 months with "patio" tomatoes.

Jim Kennard