How do I keep my tomato plants from getting so big that they break and bend. I am afraid the fruit will die.?

My tomatoes are probably about 5'5" they are getting tomatoes on them but the plants are so tall that they have outgrown their cages in height and width. The branches are begining to bend and there are tomatoes past the bends and I am afraid that the tomatoes are going to die or not produce properly. what should I do? Can they be pruned this is my first garden with vegitables I mastered flowers first now I am attempting the veggies!

How do I keep my tomato plants from getting so big that they break and bend. I am afraid the fruit will die.?
First of all, congratulations on your magnificent tomato crop! Secondly, you need to add to their support. Get some five-foot lengths of bamboo or wood stakes of the same length from the garden store, stick 'em in the ground next to your tomato plants and tie the sagging vines to those. It may be a lot of work, but it's worth it to save a nice crop of tomatoes. Hope you know how to can 'em so they don't go to waste - 'cause if you don't already know, they tend to ripen very, very rapidly once that process begins. With more than two or three vines, you could be overwhelmed with ripening tomatoes!
Reply:I am wondering if you have over fed your plants when they were starting out or maybe you gave them the wrong fertilizer. Big plants don't always mean a great crop of tomatoes. You want the tomato big not necessarily the plant. I agree on pinching them back to force the growth into the fruit, if it's not too late, and then stake them.
Reply:Pinch the tops out of them and break off some of the limbs. It will make bigger tomatoes. I know you think it is wasting a good plant but trust me it is better to do this than the plant die. And put up a stake and tie the tomatoe to it to support it!
Reply:Just pinch off the tops at the height that you want and if they are getting to wide yarn works wonders to help keep the branches tied up or you can pinch those off also above your flower clusters.
Reply:u can supprort it with another stick 5'9.


and u r plant will be alright and it wont die .
Reply:You need to stake and tie them. Use a substantial stake so that it can bear the weight of those monster tomatoes you've planted!!!





I hope they're tasty!!!
Reply:Stake your plants.





Go here to read about it - http://home.ivillage.com/gardening/veg/0...
Reply:I have to tell you that if they bend and break you will still have tomatoes.My grandfather always let his tomatoes grow on the ground he just laid down old newspaper and let them grow all over.As long as the plant is not broken completely off it will get the nutrients it needs.
Reply:trim them like any other plant....the remaining fruit will get all the plants 'power'
Reply:Use sticks to tie the viens against for support.
Reply:TIE THE PLANT WITH PARTED BAMBOO STICKS IN SUCH A WAY THEY MAY NOT EFFECT THE GROWTH.
Reply:You are supposed to use tomato cages.
Reply:Get or make some cages,...and prune 'em. Don't let spindly vines take all the nourishment from the fruit.
Reply:My father grows the best tomatoes every year. Go ahead and keep them in their cages. Put stakes around the cage where your plant needs the most support. But to get the most tomatoes you must shake your plant, but not to hard. This allows the plant to pollinate and produce more tomatoes. I laughed when he told me this but believe me this works great. Now I have taught my 4 year old to do this to our other flowers. We now have the best looking roses on the block! =)
Reply:For a first attempt at veggies, this is awesome. Instead of worrying about how to cut back your tomoatoes...you should find a way to keep them alive and be proud of the giant plants!





The best advice is can give it to find a method to support the tops of the plants. You can use wooden stakes and (believe it or not) panty hose. Tie the panty hose to the stakes, and use the stakes to support the plant stems (like crutches). The panty hose stretches and is soft enough that it doesn't damage the plant tissue.





Congrats on the success, and good luck!
Reply:cages