Tomato weather-production connections?

[JamieCatheryn]

I kind of forget what to expect out of my tomatoes so can we discuss it all in one place here for a bit?

I know hot weather leads to plant growth
Too hot prevents fruit ripening
Less water can mean sweeter tomatoes and faster ripening
Too much water all at once splits the fruit

What triggers bunches of new fruits growing at once? What causes individual leaves and branches to dry up and die while the rest of the plant thrives (or is that a disease thing)?

[HeatherAtHome]

Interesting info!

I have a question. Say you had these pathetic looking tomato plants you started from seed that you thought wouldn't grow. But you planted them anyways AND bought extra. When they were small they had plenty of room but they all grew (wow!) and are now a tangled mass.

I should trim them a bit shouldn't I? So that there's better air flow? But if I trim them, does that open them up to disease?

[FarmerCathy]

I would trim them a bit in between plants especially if some of the leaves looking ill and are getting shriveled. I don't think you'll cause disease by doing this, I think it would help.

Lots of fruit can be triggered by cooler weather if its been super hot and can be triggered if the plant thinks it will die from lack of water and will produce so that seeds will be spread before it totally dies.