Dwarf Tomatoes forming 2 leads at 4- 6 " trunks
 

I am planting out all the dwarfs I can find this year, 5 seeds each. I transplanted them to 4" pots, then to 2 gallon pots and am now putting them in 15 gal pots. I have noticed that lots of them tend to form 2 large trunks at 4-6" above soil level, and most have several shoots coming out at ground level
Is this the normal growth?. Have placed 6' stakes in most also.as Heritage said I should
I assume that you should leave the 2 tops, but should you trim the shoots at the bottom? Most of them are 9- 12" tall and growing fat. With over 120 varieties of compact and dwarfs so far, I thought I would try them all at once to see comparison,
Micros and SUNGOLD were first with ripe fruits, picked Czechs bush today.
Too many Tomatoes
Thanks for any info

I think what you're referring to is "fasciation". Do you mean something like this? [url]https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/bb42fecb078cb948_8-0272/home-design.jpg[/url]

If so, I've found that the rugose-leaved dwarf tomatoes are very prone to it. It doesn't hurt the plant or production as far as I can tell. I think it's just something they do more frequently than other varieties.

[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Garamond]The 'Y' shape of the two growing tips (one is the true main tip, the other an early side shoot) near the base is normal. As are the numerous other side shoots. I wouldn't trim them unless you have fungal disease pressures and need better airflow (they can get a bit dense with foliage). I'm not trimming mine at this point in time, but a little thinning might be advantageous for other people. [/FONT][/SIZE][/B]

This is not a fascination (I collect cactus with these in cactus - over 200 different ones so far)
but is an even dichotomous split in most instances, many also have a secondary lead almost the same diameter. I haven't seen true cresting in Tomatoes yet, but am looking forward to it.
Do most dwarfs split? Do I need to Stake?
Older Dwarf types seem to grow differently than the rugs leaf types
. Also seems to be quite a lot of differences between plants of the same variety ( potato verses regular leaf)
Is there a lot of difference between fruits?
Thanks again

I think I know what you are referring to. I have two plants of the same variety that
have the main stem split at about 6-8 inches. Both stems are identical in height and
leaf structure on each. Same thing last year, same variety.

What are your seed sources?
Just my second year growing dwarfs so less familiar than others.
I believe it would be unusual to have different leaf types on multiple varieties with
released stable dwarfs or any op varieties.
I do have one this year but i'm growing out both to see if it is a cross or same fruit.

Most of my dwarfs are at the 3 ft mark now and just about to set fruit. Lots of flowers.
Yes I stake mine and start to tie up at about 2 ft.

I tried to get a pic this morning...but the split did not come out clear. This is the two
main stems at the top. (I do prune any side shoots at ground level but that is rare).

(third stem in the back is a neighboring plant)

I'm growing out in two gallon grow bags so my plants will stay rather tidy and
not spread much. Real estate issue growing on a deck. I will not need to prune
at all but remove some lower leaves.

Last year, growing a similar amount, 30 dwarfs and a few dozen micros, I rarely
pruned at all like I do my in-ground garden indeterminates. Dwarfs just seem to
behave.

I also have three from the same seed packet with fused stem 'fasciation'. Side-by-side.
Also at 3 ft now. Identical in height and stem.

Two others have a tight tip, probably megablooms, yet no other flowers at all or even side shoots,
'suckers'. Just a cluster at the head of the main stem. The suckers are just a tiny 1/8th inch and
not changed as the plants have reached about the 3 ft mark.

An interesting group to watch, for sure.

I found some faciation on plants today,
both times on timsblack ruffles while pruning,
haven't seen it on the dwarfs as of yet,
Found out it is normal for dwarfs to divide,
don't have to Prune dwarfs, looking to a big crop

Thanks for replys

Yes indeed - if we think of dwarf varieties as indeterminates that grow vertically at half of the rate, it gets us there - meaning in the same way that heirloom indet's like Ch Purple and Mortgage Lifter do this, so do the dwarfs.

I never prune my dwarfs - but occasionally will foliage thin them to open the plant up a bit - they can get really dense, and that can lead to fungal foliage issues.

I'm going to go take some pictures. I noticed what I called"broccoli" stems this morning.

Okay, most of those didn't work. I'll try later.

[QUOTE=nctomatoman;704313]Yes indeed - if we think of dwarf varieties as indeterminates that grow vertically at half of the rate, it gets us there - meaning in the same way that heirloom indet's like Ch Purple and Mortgage Lifter do this, so do the dwarfs.

I never prune my dwarfs - but occasionally will foliage thin them to open the plant up a bit - they can get really dense, and that can lead to fungal foliage issues.[/QUOTE]

How much and where do you thin them?

I find I need to do this and am never sure with a dwarf the wise course of action to take.