Re: tomato pruning

shannon1 4/4/2011, 2:08 am

Aside from the suckers on my vineing toms I also pinch any leaves that touch the ground. It does seem to help prevent desease.

Tbites 6/1/2011, 8:19 am

I think I "get" the sucker and flower branch concept. Can someone please explain to me why this image says to keep the sucker that is on the right hand side ? pruning tomatos - tomato pruning - Page 3 Tomatopruningfigure

pruning tomatos - tomato pruning - Page 3 Tomatopruningfigure

quiltbea 6/1/2011, 8:48 am

Maybe the author believes removing too many at once depletes the tom's strength somewhat.

Personally, I take any suckers below the last fruiting branch, but I don't wait weeks between prunings either so mine get done regularly each week.

Shannon....I agree with you. I always prune out the bottom-most branches of my toms so that its clean about 4"-5" up from the soil to prevent splashing onto the leaves and also for good air circulation. It helps prevents soil-borne diseases caused by splashing up onto the bottom leaves.
That bottom pruning should not be done for the first week or so until the plant gets its roots established in its new home and gains a bit of growth. You would've already nipped off several in the planting process.

Happy gardening.

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