Smart Red
Garden Master
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Determinate as it refers to tomato plants means that the plant will grow (more or less) to a genetically pre-determined height (about 4-5 feet). Once reaching that height, the upward growth stops and all the fruit ripens at or around the same time usually within a two week period. Determinates, sometimes called bush tomatoes, are great for canning large amounts of tomatoes at one time. Once the fruit ripens, the plant dies. Planting determinates at two week intervals is a good way to have a steady supply of ripe tomatoes for processing.
Indeterminates are plants that continue to grow throughout the tomato plant's life. Fruiting usually begins nearer the bottom of the plant and continues to flower and set fruit on up the plant as it grows. These are more vining than bush. At the same time on one plant you will find flowers, beginning fruit and ripe fruit that continues through the growing season -- usually until frost.
Most of the heirloom tomato varieties I have grown tend to be indeterminates, although some like Rutgers and Roma are determinates.
Indeterminates are plants that continue to grow throughout the tomato plant's life. Fruiting usually begins nearer the bottom of the plant and continues to flower and set fruit on up the plant as it grows. These are more vining than bush. At the same time on one plant you will find flowers, beginning fruit and ripe fruit that continues through the growing season -- usually until frost.
Most of the heirloom tomato varieties I have grown tend to be indeterminates, although some like Rutgers and Roma are determinates.