When describing a tomato plant as ‘Indeterminate’, it refers to the plant’s growth habit. Indeterminate tomatoes are most often called vine type or vining type. They are also known as cordon type, which means they are grown on a single stem with trusses of fruits at regular intervals. They need to be supported on a stake, cane or a vertical string or wire attached to a horizontal support and fixed top and bottom. An indeterminate tomato plant will keep growing until it is either stopped by removing the growing tip or climate conditions become unfavourable.
Indeterminate tomatoes are more likely to be grown under cover, although they can be grown outdoors and restricted to about 4 trusses. There are many more varieties of indeterminate tomatoes than determinate varieties but just to add to any confusion, some tomato varieties can be classed as semi-determinate, having characteristics of both types. Then to complicate matters further, some cherry tomato varieties can be classed as determinate and some as indeterminate. However, generally it’s better, and easier, if we just think of indeterminate tomatoes as those that need supports and need to have their side shoots removed.
Determinate tomatoes, that is the smaller bush type, will provide quality tomatoes quite early in the growing season but usually, in much smaller quantities. Indeterminate plants however, can provide a succession of high quality tomatoes, over a longer period, which are larger and have a higher yield. With so many varieties to choose from, indeterminate tomatoes offer a wide range of sizes, colours and types such as plum, cherry, oxheart, beefsteak and grape. Colours can range from red, orange, yellow, striped and even black.
Indeterminate tomatoes are best suited for slicing and adding to sandwiches or for salads. They can however, be used in a large range of dishes and served fresh, grilled, fried, added to soups and also made into ketchup. Whichever way you choose to cook and eat them, indeterminate tomatoes can be harvested and enjoyed right up until the first frosts and a little beyond providing they have sufficient protection such as a greenhouse. Those grown outdoors will take much longer to mature, hence the reason to restrict the number of trusses.
Its easy to grow your own tomatoes from tomato seeds. We have selected a range of the best indeterminate tomatoes below:
Tomato Ailsa Craig is early maturing and famous for its flavour.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Av. Packet Contents : 50 seeds
Alicante is best described as a greenback free improved version of.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Av. Packet Contents : 50 seeds
Tomato Beefmaster produces extra large red fruit.....
Growth Habit - Short Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Black Opal is a superior version of Black Cherry with sweeter tasting.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Tomato Cherry Baby is super productive.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Gardeners Delight is an old cherry variety but is still as popular....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 35 seeds
Honeycomb is an sweet tasting orange coloured cherry......
Growth Habit - Corden.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Unique deep purple coloured cherry tomato......
Growth Habit - Corden.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Shiny black to dark rose fruits....
Growth Habit - cordon.
Av. Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Katiebell is a baby plum tomato with outstanding flavour.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
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Lizziebell is a vigorous small orange plum.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
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Tomato Luciebell is a vigorous small plum.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Tomato Moneymaker is a very popular amateur variety.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Av. Packet Contents : 50 seeds
Long, cascading trusses, each with up to 40 tasty sweet.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Has a lovely fruity flavour......
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Tomato Shirley is a good choice for crops that are likely to be grown.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Av. Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Amazingly sweet variety with a higher BRIX rating than.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Tomato Sungold is considered by many to be the best of the best.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Sungrape produces tiny baby plum tomatoes.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
Sweet Apertif can either be grown in the greenhouse or.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Av. Packet Contents : 10 seeds
premium variety, superb flavour.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Average Packet Contents : 10 seeds
An easy growing, free setting cherry.....
Growth Habit - Cordon.
Average Contents : 10 seeds
Rubinka is an early tangy.....
Growth Habit - Corden.
Av. Packet Contents : 40 seeds
These can only be compared to the advantages of growing the determinate bush type tomatoes but for many growers, the main advantages of growing indeterminate far outweigh any disadvantages. Nevertheless, the disadvantages are having to regularly pinch out any side shoots. Also, having to tie the plants to their supports on a regular basis. With indeterminate plants growing so fast and so tall, they will also need regular feeding and watering. With greenhouse grown plants, there is the risk of attack from whitefly and red spider mite.
The main disadvantage of growing indeterminate tomatoes outdoors is that it can take a long time for the fruits to mature, especially if the summer months are cooler or wetter than normal. The longer the fruits take to mature the higher the risk of infection from mildew, blight and leafspot. Always try to ensure plants can benefit from full sun. Otherwise, all other requirements, such as watering and feeding are the same as any other tomatoes.
What's your favourite indeterminate tomato to grow, and why? Leave a comment below and let everyone know....
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Growth Habit - Cordon.
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