Pruning Tomatoe Plants

Mic 5/2/2010, 9:52 pm

I have been using the SFG method for a few years now and growing my tomatoes vertically, however I don't think I have ever done a good job pruning the plant as it is growing. I re-read this section in the new SFG book and I was a little unclear. Mel says to keep pruning off all the side branches you have one main stem. Aren't all the side branches where you get your blooms at? Will you get enough blooms on just a single stalk?

I want to try this I am just afraid if I start chopping off all of my side branches that I will end up with a big stalk at the end of the summer and no tomatoes.

**camprn** 5/2/2010, 9:56 pm

Hi Mic, there are a couple of threads about pruning tomatoes, and some good video links. Use the search feature and you'll find lots of great info. Good luck! Very Happy

Bec 5/3/2010, 9:06 am

Mic,
It isn't the actual side branch you are pruning off. It's the little "sucker" that grows between the branch and the main stem - you know - in the crease where the side branch is growing from the main stem. Hope that helps.

Bec

Mic 5/3/2010, 10:14 am

Thank you to both of you. I checked around the forum a little and found some cool videos and a few other good threads and after checking those out I see exactly what I need to do.

Bec, thank you for your comment, because I wasn't sure if you were also supposed to take off the first few branches from the bottom or leave them on.

Bec 5/3/2010, 10:26 am

Well, actually, I have read (and will try it this year myself) that you take off the very bottom set of leaves when planting and lay the root/stem down in the dirt until it is covered to just under the next set of leaves. That will give the plant a good root system.

Bec

Mic 5/3/2010, 11:26 am

Bec wrote:Well, actually, I have read (and will try it this year myself) that you take off the very bottom set of leaves when planting and lay the root/stem down in the dirt until it is covered to just under the next set of leaves. That will give the plant a good root system.

Now that I have tried and it does work very well. I don't think you have to water as much when you do this. However what I was referring to above was actually pruning off the bottom branches as the plant grew taller. Maybe the first 2-3 bottom branches, after it is planted, but from what I saw nobody else did that, instead they just removed the "suckers" as you mentioned, so I figure I will just try that this year and see what happens.

**camprn** 5/3/2010, 11:54 am

I remove the lower foliage after plant is well established and fruiting. The main reason being to reduce mold and fungus potential and getting better air circulation through the whole plant.

Mic 5/3/2010, 2:07 pm

camprn wrote:I remove the lower foliage after plant is well established and fruiting. The main reason being to reduce mold and fungus potential and getting better air circulation through the whole plant.

Starting in from the ground about how high do you trim up? Also do you take the entire side branch off to the main stalk?

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Pruning Tomatoe Plants