Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes - What are the differences?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Are you growing determinate or indeterminate tomatoes? Which one do you prefer and why? I would love to hear from you...🌻

[@danamaxwell2542]

What type of tomato are the dark tomatoes in the video? I got some starters that are supposed to be purple/black and one is not growing do they need more shade than red tomatoes?

[@Wolfmoss1]

Wow, I've never heard of these two types of tomatoes. I've never heard anyone mention it before, nor seen it stated on any packet of tomato seeds I've bought. It makes sense now why some of mine just go crazy and don't even die off when winter comes around, while others are a lot more manageable!

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Yaaaay, I'm so glad to hear you got value out of watching this video and learnt something news 🎉 Yeah, its jot information that is often widely spread and unless you specifically ask about it you won't necessarily know and sometimes when you ask, the people helping you won't even know. At least you now know what characteristics to look for to identify if you have a determinate or indeterminate tomato 🌻

[@Wolfmoss1]

@@MySustainabilityJourney Thanks for your part in getting the word out there mate! This is such handy info to know. 😊

[@erikacilliers9928]

Planted my very first determinite tomatoes this year. Previously only indeterminite. Already seeing fruits.

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Yaaaay, that's great to hear! Do you know what determinate tomato variety you are growing? Have you found them to be a lot less maintenance? I really hope they give you a good and tasty harvest 🌻

[@jdarwin4204]

I use indeterminate tomatoes, get lots of fruit by trimming off non productive lower branches and suckers. Also you can plant twice as many by keeping them non bushy 😊

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Thanks so much for sharing your insights and growing experience and yes, I agree with you regarding cleaning up the tomato plants and getting good production. Personally I like a combination as indeterminate tomatoes tend to take long time get going so you can get a nice early, big flush of determinate tomatoes while you wait for the others to come along. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🌻

[@AmyLCNM]

Great info!! One question: do growing the different varieties of tomatoes so closely allow/encourage cross pollination between the varieties?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Thank you very much and I'm so happy to hear you found this video informative 💚 This is a really great question! Tomatoes can cross pollinate but it's very hard and seldom happens naturally. They are self pollinating and have both male and female parts in the same flower. They use movement, like the ribs or brushing past them, to release and up pollen so it's hard for pollinators to get into the actual flower (it's also really small) to be able to cross pollinate. I have been growing tomatoes from my own seed for a while and have never had any cross pollination issues. I hope this helps 🌻🌻🌻

[@yvonnejackson1696]

I’ve planted indeterminate tomatoes for years. Mmmmm Love my tomato sandwiches and refuse to buy store bought tomatoes which always taste like red cardboard. However I miss my homemade canned tomatoes that we used to put up every summer so I may try some determinate plants this summer.

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Yay, that's amazing to hear and I also love my indeterminate tomatoes because of their variety and versatility. There really is not much better than a tomato sandwich straight from the garden! 💚 Determinate tomatoes most certainly have a place but they are by Jo means without their flaws. I think having a combination that will solve unique challenge is the best way 🌻

[@erikacilliers9928]

What is best to feed them to get nice big tomatoes?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Good question! Determinate tomatoes are often genetically made up to have fruit that have certain characteristics. If you have a Roma tomato then you won't be able to get it much bigger than your normal Roma tomato. You can feed your tomato plant a high potassium food source that is balanced. You do not want a high Nitrogen fertiliser as that will promote leafy grown in favour of fruit and ensure soil remains evenly moist to prevent blossom end rot 🌻

[@erikacilliers9928]

Not Roma. Cant remember 100% what the seedlings were, but we did also sowed Moneymaker seeds which is just now appearing above ground.

[@desireboezio9911]

I bought heirloom Roma VF (Jam) Tomato seeds from Kirchhoffs. There is no mention on the packet as to whether they are determinate or indeterminate. Do I have to grow them first in order to know whether they are determinate or indeterminate?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Yeah, commercial seed companies are really bad at this 😔 if you buy from smaller seed companies like Livingseeds then they will categorise their varieties well so you know what you are getting. You need to let your tomato seedlings grow and if they grow higher than your knee then you know you have an indeterminate tomato plant 🌻

[@AmyLCNM]

Hello, I just looked that seed up online and the packet says a bush size plant so I'd say its a determinate variety. Apparently there are other Roma varieties that are indeterminate. This is all new to me also and I've grown tomatoes for many years!!🤦🏼‍♀️. Goodluck!!❤