I’ll be the first to admit, I’m totally lazy amount pruning my tomato plants. But, that definitely doesn’t mean you don’t get better plants and fruit from actually taking the time to do it.
Really, the two most important kinds of pruning for tomato plants really aren’t that difficult or time consuming {I realize, I’m not making a very good case for myself, here}. The first one, and the one that sometimes leaves me staring at my plants with intention, not action, is pruning the suckers. Tomato plant suckers and those leaves that grow {usually at a 45 degree angle} off of the plants main stem and the leaf.
All it does is suck nutrients from the fruit, so really, it is best to pinch suckers back. In addition, tomato plants to best with 6-8 established main stems {12-14 for cherry tomatoes}. Anything additional should ideally go.
The second type of pruning is really super simple. It basically involves pruning off any leaves that touch the dirt. Leaves that touch the dirt or are low enough to get splashes of dirt on the leaves when watering really only make the whole plant susceptible to disease. Trimming them up does the whole plant a huge service.
In addition to pruning for disease control and nutrient distribution, pruning keeps the plant from become too heavy. Heavy plants, even when properly staked, tend to lean over more, creating shade on the inner fruit. Shade means the fruit won’t be as sweet–because tomatoes need plenty of sun and heat to ensure proper sugar production.
Last, but not least, tomatoes are susceptible to disease that moisture brings, so don’t prune your tomato plants when the leaves are wet.
Do you prune your tomato plants every year? If so, do you have any special tricks?
~Mavis
Linda says
Does pruning apply to both determinant and indeterminate varieties of plants?
mable says
NO! Absolutely not. Determinates basically have a preset yield. If you prune suckers you will have a reduced yield. I learned this from our Cooperative Extension, and have seen the same advice in many gardening magazines. Vining tomatoes are a different breed, so to speak, and pruning helps them. The only pruning I do with determinates is close to the end of the season I prune out leaf clusters to make sure any tomatoes get maximum sun exposure.
Jennifer says
Good morning Mavis! Do you have links to your sources so we can read more on the subject? I’ve never heard of pruning the leaves grow from the same node as the sucker. I always thought you just prune the sucker. And the number of stems—very interesting.
I never bother to prune my Romas nor my cherry-type tomatoes for suckers; I only prune the low vegetation from the dirt. But other types I prune for suckers and weight management, so the whole thing doesn’t fall over with the tomato cage.
Diane says
Do you only grow determinate varieties? I was wondering if you also prune the tops when they outgrow the cages (as indeterminate ones always do). Or will that halt production?
mable says
Topping off indeterminates will signal to them is time to ripen what is on the vine and quit growing and producing more blossoms and tomatoes. In colder climates you top off when you feel fall coming, so the production will switch to ripening what is already on the vine. I live in northern Alaska and our first frost has already come. I topped off the greenhouse tomatoes (indeterminates) at the start of August.
Lisa Millar says
Thanks for sharing the advice on how to treat the different tomato plants!!
Jennifer says
I dunno… I’ve certainly topped indeterminate varieties for size and they just kept growing and kept flowering after that. It might be something more specific to your variety, climate, and the time of year you do the topping?
HollyG says
I have a question regarding what do you do with your citrus in the fall. When do you bring it in (maybe if you were still in the PNW – we’re near Oregon CIty) ? Where do you put it? Do you change the watering routine? I bought a little lemon tree and I’m hoping not to kill it.
Mavis Butterfield says
The lady at the nursery where I bought my lemon tree said that they need to come indoors when nighttime temperatures consistently dip below 50 degrees. I will bring mine in to the sun room when that happens. As far as watering goes, I suppose I’ll just water it every few days or so when it looks like it needs a drink. This time of year though with it being outside, it pretty much gets watered everyday unless it rains.
HollyG says
Thanks!
C Cannon says
Did your temps lower? You are dressed so warm for August. How much of a season do you calculate you have before the first killing frost there?
Lisa Millar says
I start by planning to prune… I sometimes even do a bit of pruning. But inevitably by the seasons end, I have large patches of tomato Jungles!!
I actually take the laterals (suckers) to grow new free plants and they always do REALLY well.
Pam says
I just prune to keep the leaves off the ground then, other than watering when necessary and watching for pests and/or disease, I leave them pretty much alone.