[quote=bill oxner]



Never have pruned tomatoes , just trained them to stay inside the cages . I HAVE pruned peppers to encourage more flowers/fruit and (since they're related) it might be worth a try .

If you're just trying to get them in the cage , put it over the plant then gently pull the stems inside . No big deal if you break a few off .

I'm a pruner of the bottom feeders/suckers. I like to have about 12" from the soil base to the closest leaf. Though I've typically have grown indeterminates. This year I'm only growing determinates, but will still prune them up from the bottom. A lot of diseases are in the soil and will get on the plant from watering/rain splash back. Pruning them up a little helps prevent this. Plus it helps air circulation for the plant, which also helps disease control.. Early and continued applications of old milk and Serenade help fight off and control diseases.

Derek/Derek/Derek...how can you NOT grow Porters...

Il be watching your progress Derek , I liked my indeterminate better last year so that's all im planting . I was ticked my tycoon seeds didnt work out

time to pull the wall-0-water off



when i pulled it off, the plant was very top-heavy and fell over...no worries...i added dirt to the base for stability and trimmed up the bottom per Derek's instructions...time for epsom salt and patience

How much Epsom salts you adding to your water for the treatment? I did 2 Tbl per gallon of water last year but did not put the salt in the beds as I also read.

i read somewhere 1 tblspn per foot of height...i just mix it in the soil and water it in ... how often? ... when i think about it...little help Derek~~~!!!~~~

I put 2 tablespoons (1/8 cup) in the hole when I plant. 1/8 cup per gallon of water every 3-4 weeks and water around the plants. And 1 tablespoon per gallon of water when I foliar spray which is every couple weeks or so. If you mix it in the soil around the plant the 1 tablespoon per foot height is correct.

I'm still having trouble getting my cucumbers up.

I started my cukes in a seed germination dome. They germinated in 3-4 days. I put them under the lights for 2 weeks then they were ready yo be planted outside.

Try this
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/sep/12/research.science1

i started this sweet slice cuke inside a wall-0-water from seed...seems cukes like warmth

Miracles still happen. All seeds have now germinated. Expect tomatoes to set next week.

y'all have any ideas on how to stop a puppy from digging up my plants. I've tried putting some cyanne pepper around them

Remote shock collar.