Pruning tomatoes can be tricky, especially if you’re new to gardening. But once you understand how to do it, pruning can really boost your tomato harvest. This guide offers simple steps and practical tips to help you prune your tomato plants successfully.
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Before we dive into the intricacies of the pruning methods detailed in this article, it’s important to emphasize that not every variety of tomato plant requires pruning. Pruning the wrong variety can lead to a significant loss of potential tomato yield. So, pay close attention.
There are two varieties of tomato plants: determinate and indeterminate. To be sure of your plant type, we’ll outline the main differences between them:
- Determinate tomatoes are bush-type plants that grow to a fixed size, stay compact, produce fruit all at once, and then stop growing. Pruning these can reduce your harvest.
- Indeterminate tomatoes are vining plants that continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season. These are the types you want to prune for increased fruit production, and the pruning methods presented here are relevant to this variety only.
Why Prune Tomatoes?
You might be wondering, “Why should I prune at all?” Well, the main advantage is that pruning helps redirect the plant’s energy from producing excess foliage to fruit development. Plus, by strategically removing certain parts of the plant, you can improve air circulation, reduce disease risk, and potentially increase your yield.
In other words, proper pruning can make the difference between a successful tomato harvest and complete failure.
Secrets of Successful Pruning
Step 1: Removing Suckers
One of the most critical steps in pruning tomatoes is removing suckers.
But what exactly are suckers?
Suckers (axillary bud) are the small shoots that grow in the axil – the point where a leaf meets the stem. They often appear as tiny leaves sprouting from this junction. As they grow, they can become just like the main stem, with leaves, flowers, and sometimes even fruit.
Dealing with these suckers is the key to a healthy and productive tomato plant.
To identify suckers:
- Look at the Axil: Examine the point where each branch meets the main stem.
- Spot the New Growth: Identify the small shoots that are growing out of these points. These are your suckers.
- Size Matters: Suckers are typically smaller than the main branches and stems when they first appear, making them easier to distinguish.
How to Remove Suckers:
Using your fingers or a pair of sterilized pruning shears, pinch off the suckers when they are small (around 2-4 inches long). Doing it this way is easier on the plant and will minimize the chance of larger wounds that may invite pests and disease.
It’s important to inspect your plants for suckers regularly throughout the growing season to keep them under control and ensure the plant’s energy is focused on fruit production. I usually do this once a week, as I walk by my tomato plants, checking for suckers, examining the leaves, and ensuring the plant is healthy and happy.
What Happens When You Don’t Prune Tomato Suckers?
If left unchecked, suckers can grow into full-sized stems, diverting energy from fruit production and causing the plant to become overly bushy. Furthermore, unpruned suckers will produce their own suckers, making the plant even more difficult to manage.
The Eternal Debate on Pruning Suckers
There’s an ongoing debate among gardeners about pruning tomato suckers. Some believe that leaving them intact leads to larger plants and possibly higher yields. However, in my experience over several seasons, pruned plants consistently produce more fruit, stay healthier, and have better-quality fruits. Pruning helps the plant focus its energy on fruit production instead of excess foliage. My advice to you is to conduct your own experiments with both methods and see which works best for you.
Bonus Tip: The suckers you remove can be used to propagate new tomato plants. Simply place the cut suckers in water until they develop roots, then transplant them into soil. This method is an easy and efficient way to clone your best-performing plants.
Step 2: Pinching Early Blooms
It might sound extreme and counterintuitive, but actually pinching off early blooms can be beneficial for your tomato plants and give them extra boost.
The idea behind this is that it helps the plant focus on establishing a strong root system before putting energy into producing fruit.
When pinching early blooms, aim to do this when the seedlings are about 6-8 inches tall and have at least 4-6 true leaves. It’s especially important to pinch off the early blooms before transplanting the seedlings to their final pot or garden bed..
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Step 3: Pruning the Lower Leaves
Pruning the lower leaves is another crucial step in maintaining a healthy tomato plant.
How to Prune Lower Leaves:
- Cut off any leaves that are touching the ground or are extremely close to it. This prevents soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the leaves.
- Remove yellowed or diseased leaves to improve the plant’s health and to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the plant.
- As the plant grows, regularly prune to keep the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the stem bare.
Pruning the lower leaves improves air circulation at the base of the plant, which helps prevent fungal infections and other diseases. Additionally, it makes it easier to monitor the plant’s health and water it directly at the base, reducing the chance of wetting the foliage and further preventing disease.
Besides pruning the lower leaves, make sure to trim any infected or diseased leaves as well. This practice prevents the spread of diseases and ensures your tomato plants remain healthy and productive.
How Much to Prune
While pruning your tomato plants can be a game-changer, it’s easy to go overboard. Remember that leaves are the plant’s solar panels, so don’t get too carried away. A good rule of thumb is to prune no more than a third of the plant at a time. This ensures that the plant retains enough foliage to support healthy growth and fruit production.
FAQs
It’s generally not recommended to prune determinate tomatoes heavily. They grow to a specific size and produce all their fruit in a short period, so pruning can reduce their yield.
Prune your tomato plants regularly throughout the growing season. Check your plants weekly to remove any new suckers and prune lower or infected leaves as necessary.
It’s best to prune in the morning on a dry day. This allows the plant to heal throughout the day and reduces the risk of disease.
Yes, you can compost healthy pruned parts of the tomato plant. However, avoid composting any diseased leaves or stems to prevent the spread of disease.
You can use stakes, cages, or trellises. Proper support helps keep the plant upright, improves air circulation, and makes it easier to manage the plant as it grows.
