More has probably been write on how to prune tomatoes than almost any other vegetable gardening task . Unfortunately , advice on pruning tomatoes is usually vague , conflicting or downright confusing . The true statement is , tomatoes do n’t perfectly have to be pruned . Some nurseryman let them ramble on the ground and never cut back them a piece .
However , pruning Lycopersicon esculentum is a good melodic theme if you want healthy , generative vine . Pruning is a portion dewy-eyed than you might expect , peculiarly if you do a snatch every workweek so the plant do n’t become overgrown . Here , we ’ve include everything you necessitate to be intimate to become a tomato plant pruning expert .
The Whys of Pruning Tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes do n’t demand pruning – ever . These bush - like plant are bred to stop growing at a certain tiptop and stop producing yield at a certain point . If you lop them , you ’ll limit their outgrowth even more .
Indeterminate Lycopersicon esculentum are another story , alone . These subtropic plant mold sprawling vines , which if leave to their own devices , become a tangled , unproductive mess . surely , their foliage is pretty , but you ’re not develop tomatoes for their leaves . You want healthy , vigorous tomatoes . tomato demand access to sun to mature and dulcorate properly . If the vine are allowed innocent rein , you ’ll have fewer fruits and the fruit wo n’t look or taste as safe .
How to Prune Tomatoes
When you first begin pruning tomato plant , keep three principle in mind : first , never , ever prune above the top blossoms . If you do this , the industrial plant will cease acquire upward . The plant becomes shaggy-haired and less productive . Next , prune out suckers when they ’re small-scale . If you wait until they ’re big , you chance injuring the plant when you take them off . You ’ve also allow them to disport energy from developing fruits . What are sucker ? They are low offshoot branches that grow between the main stem and the branch . Learn more about them here . Here ’s aYouTube video that demonstrates , andanother shorter one .
Finally , examine the whole works before you start removing suckers . Are there new suckers develop at the base of the works ? Take them off . What is the plant ’s overall health and growth like ? Go easy during hot weather condition or if the plant seems emphasize . Still confused ? Below you ’ll find a whole tone - by - step pathfinder to pruning tomatoes .
Whens to Prune Tomatoes
So , now that you understand the rule of pruning Lycopersicon esculentum , you might be wonder how often you need to prune them . In oecumenical , once every week or so is normally plenty unless your tomatoes are passing vigorous . Depending on the size of your garden , spending 15 minutes or so once a hebdomad is enough .
Do n’t care if you miss a calendar week or two . love apple plants will still grow and produce tomato even if they ’re not suckered , but keeping them pruned increases your harvest home and make them easy to manage .
For more information , visit the following sites :
How to String and Sucker Tomatoes fromFront Porch Farm
Pruning Tomatoesfrom Fine Gardening
Julie Christensen learned about gardening on her grandad ’s farm and mother ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she live and gardens on the high knit of Colorado . When she ’s not digging in the dirt , Julie writes about food , education , parenting and gardening .
