Sympodial growth

The tomato plant grows sympodially. After the first shoot segment—terminated by a cluster of fruit—is formed, further growth is taken over by a shoot emerging from the axil of the uppermost leaf, which forms the next segment terminated by a cluster of fruit. In indeterminate varieties, this cycle can repeat throughout the season, whereas in determinate varieties, the number of subsequent segments is limited. Understanding this growth pattern facilitates proper plant management and the identification of main shoots.