Most Rutgers seed and plants sold any more are indeterminate. Are you sure yours in the older determinate variety?

Dave

It does not really matter what type you have. If you plant it a sucker will take over if it is Ind and if it is Det it will be fine as well.

Seed pack says it is, hardly definative LOL and has plenty of side growth. I was able to buy a good size Rutgers at the Nursery so I will get to grow it. Normally, if you chop the top off a determinate is it a gonner? I am just starting to grow them. Thanks, LInda

Normally, if you chop the top off a determinate is it a gonner?

Not at all if it has already developed lateral branches below the break. You will still get production from them. It will just be a really short plant with no new side branches developing further up.

If it hasn't already produced lower lateral branches then yes, yes it is essentially done for.

Determinates don't produces "suckers". They are all terminal end branches so none of them 'take over' for the main stem as an indeterminate would. But rooting the terminal end that broke off is a waste of time. That is why I asked which it was.

Dave

Thanks all. Maybe I will grow the worlds shortest Rutgers. =)

"Most Rutgers seed and plants sold any more are indeterminate."

Quick question Dave - I recall from previous discussions that you grow Rutgers most years, as do I. I went through a few different trials before I found the a plant that was more like what I recall my father growing as a kid.

I got the seed from Victory seeds and I was pleased with the results and have grown it every year since, but... Even though it's listed as determinate, it seems to be more of a semi-determinate in that it keeps producing well after the initial fruit ripening. I've grown some determinates that are more like what I'd call true determinates, that get all their fruit within about 2 weeks and then just sit there - Rutgers in my experience doesn't appear to be one of those.

I was just wondering, based off of your comment, if that's the same case for you.

if that's the same case for you.

To a degree, depending on the seed source I use, and I have tried many, including selecting and saving my own. But I find it is almost impossible anymore to find the true determinate seed from any vendors - even when they label it as such.

JMO but I think that as the variety has stabilized over the years most of the seed has reverted or adapted to more of an indeterminate growth pattern. Rather than a determinate or semi-determinate type of fruit set and cropping, its a continuous cropping and the growth patterns are usually true vine indeterminate - height, lateral branch development, node lengths, etc.

But I haven't been overly concerned about it as the production and flavor remains true. I just don't count on it being determinate even when it is labeled as such.

Dave

So, I guess I WON'T be growing the shortest Rutgers in the World. LOL