FAO boxy. Sorry if you've answered somewhere else but I have to know...

[lardhelmet]

...please tell me why I have to pluck the shoots off between the stems and the stalks of my toms? Cos I've just rushed out & twinged them all off!

[AlBags]

NOOOOO! Don't do that.

[lardhelmet]

Oh cr@p A1 - why not?

[ttfn]

check your email darlin' (;-))

[boxtops]

Lardy, this is what my dad always used to tell me, the extra shoots divert the energy from the main stem, so we always nip 'em out. http://www.liveforgar...mato_side_shoots.html

[lardhelmet]

Thank you boxy and ttfn Titchmarsh. Sorry for the delay - AOL decided not to talk to me for a few minutes :-(

[ttfn]

AOL = All Out Lardy? (;-)) nite nite I am gone x

[rowanwitch]

Depends on the variety, don't do it with hanging ones like tumbler or the ones that have minicherry toms, the pinching out is for cordons and traditional varieties