DinobeanoJUKT01
Just Arrived
Joined: 20 May 2008
Location: Hartwell, GA
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: Tomatoe Pruning |
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I am in need of directions to prune tomatoe plants without causing damage. I know only 3 leaves should be left in order to promote large quantity of fruit. I am growing in 5 gallon pots of potting soil. been in 2 weeks and they are 2 feet tall already. (better bush)
Is it too late to prune?
Thanks for any help
Dino
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 11468
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Dino I grow tomatoes and usually they crop very well for me. I don't prune them though. I simply pinch out new growth so that they bush out more and don't grow too 'leggy.' I'm sure others will be along shortly who can help you out more than I can. You probably already know that tomaties are very greedy plants and need plenty of feed as well as water to produce the best fruits. Good luck with yours. 
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Wrennie
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 21 Nov 2007
Location: Catskill Mountains NY
Posts: 643
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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Better bush is an indeterminate variety. I've never heard of leaving only 3 leaves. You should pinch out any sucker sprouts, and the leaves on the stem below the first blooms, also any secondary stems. As far as I know, it is never to late to prune a tomato.
From http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/articles/pruning-tomatoes.aspx
| Quote: | | A properly pruned and supported single-stem tomato plant presents all of its leaves to the sun. Most of the sugar produced is directed to the developing fruit, since the only competition is a single growing tip. The result is large fruits that are steadily produced until frost. If more stems are allowed to develop, some of the precious sugar production is diverted from fruit to multiple growing tips. Fruit production, although slowed, never stops. The result is a nearly continuous supply of fruits throughout the season. In general, more stems means more but smaller fruits, which are produced increasingly later in the season. (This is much less applicable to determinate plants, due to their shortened growing season and better-defined fruiting period. Therefore, determinate plants require little pruning.) |
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xylona
On The Way Up
Joined: 14 May 2008
Location: Quincy, IL
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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Here is a picture of my cherry tomato plant. It is about 2 feet tall or so.
When should I pinch the top?
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