How do you prune a tomato plant?
Question:I remember my mom saying something about pruning the "suckers" from a tomato plant -- I was just wondering what they look like and how do you properly prune a tomato plant? Thanks
Answers:
A sucker is a shoot that grows between a branch and a leaf cluster. It takes energy away from the leaf cluster.
Simple pruning means to pinch the sucker between your fingers and snap it off completely.
In the past most people would say that you are supposed to prune off the small stems at the bottom of the plant, this would promote healthier plants with a higher yield. In the last 2 or so years alot of growers have said that they get the same results from not pruning, just making sure they have the plants well staked.
if your tomato plants are on trellis, just cut the lateral stem, make it grow vertically.
Occasionally they will send "suckers" or "watersprouts" up from the roots or at the very base of the stem. I usually cut those off.
Excactly as mac said...it isnt the leaves at the bottom for some of them will fruit out.. but here is a copy and pasted article on this "to sucker out or not to" syndrome..
There is a myth that suckers do not produce fruit; this is not true, but they do use some of the plant's nutrients as they grow. As a general rule, leaving suckers will produce more fruit, but smaller, while pinching them off will cause the plant to grow larger fruit, but less of it (because there will be fewer branches).
Now here is in depth explanation of pruning...What kind of pruning do you prefer? There are two types - simple pruning and Missouri pruning. Simple pruning means to pinch the sucker between your fingers and snap it off completely. A sucker is a shoot that grows between a branch and a leaf cluster. With Missouri pruning, you pinch off just the growing tip, and allow the leaves to remain. More leaves mean more energy for the plant, but it also means that you will need to prune any suckers that develop on the original sucker, so it requires a lot more maintenance.
For years we have grown tomatoes and have never pruned them! Anytime you cut on a plant you are introducing a wound that is susceptible to fungus and insects. If you think you have alot of suckers that is taking away from the plants growth, fertilize it alittle more in mid summer and give it some extra waterings, water in the morning and water at soil level so to reach the roots. Most people do not prune tomatoe plants.
Also agreeing with Mac - BUT, most modern varieties no longer have suckers.
Don't worry about it unless you're growing heirlooms, and even then, you can ignore them if you want.
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