How to grow cordon tomatoes

Commercial growers have been using cordon (indeterminate) tomato varieties for decades, relying on their unsurpassed ability to crop heavily, well into autumn. Their upright habit allows growers to cram plants into greenhouses, but don’t worry if you don’t have space under cover – they will thrive grown against sunny walls, too.

1

WHEN planting under glass or outside, tie the main stem to a 2m tall cane or length of vertical twine. Remove all sideshoots now, and continue to do this as the plant grows.

TOP TIP Use durable twine that won’t break part way through the growing season.

K2

THE PLANT will gain height rapidly – keep removing all sideshoots as they appear. Cut out any competing leaders (these look like very large sideshoots).

TOP TIP Snap out sideshoots less than pencil-thick with your fingers, but use a knife to cut any that are larger than this.

K3

ON OUTDOOR plants, pinch out the main stem after five trusses have formed (glasshouse plants can climb into the eaves).

TOP TIP Remove any leaves that are shading the ripening crop with a sharp snap up, then down.

K