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Gardeners Delight

Last post 22-06-2009 5:28 AM by headfullofbees. 8 replies.

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  • 06/06/2008 04:31 PM
    • Juliee
    • Bournemouth
    • 06 Jun 2008
    • 2
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    Help please! My dad and also a neighbor have both given me GD plants - but with conflicting instructions so I am confused about whether I should be pinching out or leaving the side shoots to grow.

    Are these plants cordon or bush variety and what should I be doing to get the best from them please? 

    Also, my dad always seem to grow his much sturdier and stronger than me even though he has started them off for me. Mine seem to get high but spindly. Am i doing something wrong? Thanks!
  • 06/06/2008 04:59 PM
    In reply to
    • sue1002
    • Ipswich, Suffolk
    • 06 Sep 2005
    • 5,200
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     Gardeners delight are a cordon variety and removing side shoots is recommended.  The growing tips of the plants are usually pinched out once 5-6 trusses have set and this would result in a sturdier plant.

     

    Do you use the same tomato feed as your dad? it could just be that you are feeding different, ie different brand or amount. 

    sue1002
  • 06/06/2008 05:32 PM
    In reply to
    • Juliee
    • Bournemouth
    • 06 Jun 2008
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    Thanks Sue. It was my dad that said NOT to pinch out! I daren't tell him he is wrong. I think he probably gives his plants more tlc than me which is why they are better than mine. I will go now and start pinching!
  • 06/06/2008 07:27 PM
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    Swallow your pride; ask the old man how he does it (and then tell me) - he will be gratified.

     

    Boggy

     

     

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
  • 06/06/2008 10:49 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
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    If your dad's plants do well, then what he's doing is right even if it's different to what other people do. Of course if the alternative methods work for the people who use them, then they're right too! 

    If you've got plenty of plants, I'd suggest growing some your dad's way and some the 'proper' way and see which do best - and tell us (along with any tips you get from your Dad)  

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 07/06/2008 10:19 AM
    In reply to
    • Mr_Crocosmia
    • Lincolnshire, Untied Kingdom
    • 22 May 2008
    • 67
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     and don't forget to feed regularly with tomarite...........

    What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it.
  • 16/06/2009 12:08 PM
    In reply to
    • KIM
    • PRESTATYN
    • 22 Feb 2009
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    I am growing these for the first year in my greenhouse - I do seem to have rather more leaves than I would have expected and some of the plants do not seem to have that many flowers - they are now five foot high and I have not got to 5 trusses on some of the plants - any suggestions.
  • 17/06/2009 07:01 PM
    In reply to
    • standarren
    • kingsheath
    • 17 Jun 2009
    • 1
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     hi guys i to are growing gardeners delight my question is after how many trusses do i stop the plant growing any taller not sure howmany trusses i have at the moment maybe 5 i think the plants are approx 4ft high
  • 22/06/2009 05:28 AM
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    Juliee:

    I would imagine your father's plants are getting more light, and being watered more regularly.

     

    Pinching out: I have read elsewhere that time for tomatoes to grow and ripen is the ultimate consideration. This would seem to make some sense, as I have trusses with 8-10 tomatoes growing, and others with 15-20. (Tamina & Shirley) What do others think?