That's a nice monster you have there, esp for the pot size which may be too small to support it much longer. If you can double the pot size and add a long stake (8') that would help (for a while). Another option would be to plant it in the ground in that sunny area just off the deck.

My husband won't let me dig in his lawn, so that's a no go. I could do the 8feet stake, but honestly, it's getting too high for me to even take care of it, at this point. What would happen if I trimmed the top, would it grow more flowers on the lower stems, or would it basically stop the production of new tomatoes?

Thank you for the help.

Atheen

Trimming off the top would make it bushier but it would still need a larger container. If you can't dig the ground below the deck could you move the container down to grass level? That way you could reach the top of the plant from standing on the deck. Tell your hubby that you'll eat the tomatoes and he can eat the grass ;-)

My inderterminates are there too. Happens every year. They reach a foot or so over their stakes, fall over, then start growing up again. It is a mess - but I get lots of tomatoes! You could trim it, and it will give you a bushier plant for sure. Might lessen production though.

Indeterminate varieties grow TALL. They reach the top of my 8' high tunnel, then fall over as there is no way for them to continue growing up. Then they aim up again, and continue growing. Seriously - 12-14' tall they'll get. If you trim the top, the suckers and lower branches will continue to grow and flower. You will lose all the flowers and fruit that the top of the plant will produce. And when the other branches catch up to the top of your cage, you are in the same prediciment. I would suggest just letting it grow - you will see what I mean about them falling over, and growing up again. In my experiecne - no "tomato cages" will contain any tomatoes - unless they are the super tall ones, and you are growing dwarf or determinate varieties. Hope this was helpful.

Ek, That is extremely helpful, thank you. Honestly, if it wasn't because I'm afraid the merest wind would knock it over, I'd let it keep growing. I think I'll leave it alone for now, and see it grow over and back up - merely because I'm curious of seeing it happen, lol. But if it starts falling over every 2 secs, it's getting a military haircut. 🤣 I'll keep you updated of the "progress" on this thread. 😘
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Atheen