Hitting the re-set button for determinate tomatoes?

[j.t.delaney]

Hi there,
I planted my first crop of "Tiny Tim", and I was really, truly surprises how early it began flowering. This is a determinate variety, so the party will be over for them pretty soon, and this got me thinking: is there a way to trick the plant back into a vegetative state and to get another crop (or three) out of it? Is there some auxins, synthetic or otherwise, that will accomplish this?

[sprtsguy76]

I have never grown Tiny Tim but I have grown quite a few determinates. Genenrally speaking determinates will give you one good crop over a short period of time and thats it they are done. I've never heard of any sort of method in tricking them back into a veggie state to encourage eventual fruit set again.

Damon

[Lorri D]

I heard from a speaker at a nursery center, that if you cut off all of the blooms, it sends tomatoes back into a growth period. I don't know if it is determinate/indeterminate specific, the speaker didn't specify and I have never tried it myself. Lorri

[Byron]

I think the easiest thing is to plant progressive plantings so that you have some new plants that are ready to produce after the first quit producing. I like Rutgers and that works very well for them.

[j.t.delaney]

Originally Posted by Byron

I think the easiest thing is to plant progressive plantings so that you have some new plants that are ready to produce after the first quit producing. I like Rutgers and that works very well for them.

True enough - staggering out the planting times is the easiest, most practical way of extending the availability of a determinate variety... But what I'm curious about is something a bit less practical, but still interesting (at least to me): is there some sort of way of reversing the post-fruiting senescence process that sets in?

[Crandrew]

I haven't heard of it on mators but I know the cash crop folks will sometimes do it. But they use the light cycle while growing indoors to force back into veg state. Something like you disrupt
The 12/12 light cycle then switch back to the veg light cycle of 20-24hrs on 4-0 off.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Crandrew

I haven't heard of it on mators but I know the cash crop folks will sometimes do it. But they use the light cycle while growing indoors to force back into veg state. Something like you disrupt
The 12/12 light cycle then switch back to the veg light cycle of 20-24hrs on 4-0 off.

Your giving yourself away.

Worth

[Crandrew]

Nope but I'm sure it sounds that way.

Man now I feel like people are going to get the wrong idea about me.

[coloken]

I have all ways wondered if you cut off the tip, planted it, and started a new plant from that if it would start over? That would save a lot of time over starting from seed.

[Crandrew]

Originally Posted by coloken

I have all ways wondered if you cut off the tip, planted it, and started a new plant from that if it would start over? That would save a lot of time over starting from seed.

Yes and yes. It would be the equivalent to cloning. Keep it moist and in gentle light for 2 weeks and you are good to go.

[Worth1]

Ok so what are we talking about?

Worth

[Worth1]

From my experience I have had the main growing stem from these plants knocked off from hail.

They never did produce tomatoes like they should.
Even cloning produced a poor crop.

But that was after it heated up and that could have been a factor as well.
You can get a second crop but it is never as big as the first.

Worth

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Crandrew

Nope but I'm sure it sounds that way.

Man now I feel like people are going to get the wrong idea about me.

No worries here I have never cared what people thought about me as you can tell.

Worth

[Crandrew]

Originally Posted by Worth1

From my experience I have had the main growing stem from these plants knocked off from hail.

They never did produce tomatoes like they should.
Even cloning produced a poor crop.

But that was after it heated up and that could have been a factor as well.
You can get a second crop but it is never as big as the first.

Worth

+1 I forgot to add that I hadnt tried it with mators but in theory it should work

[dice]

I took the end of branch from a determinate in fall, rooted it
in water, transplanted it into growing mix a few weeks later,
nursed it along under flourescent lights beside a window over
the winter, planted it in spring, and I got a new determinate plant.
Over the summer, it grew and produced like the determinate
from the year before that the cutting came from.

The variety was Odessa, and it produced one tasty fruit while it was
growing indoors under lights.