Determinate or Indeterminate. Some folks recommend that gardeners prune tomato plants by removing all tomato suckers; I disagree. It's recommended that you prune in the mornings, as unwanted stems will break away easier. The best time to prune tomato plants is in the early morning on a dry day. Determinate, or bush tomatoes, tend to be smaller and more manageable. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. I have my tomato plants in cages and I have a juliet tomato plant that is about 5 ft tall with about 70 green tomatos so far. Why Are the Bottoms of My Tomatoes Rotting? Determinate tomato plants are those that grow to a predetermined size, produce a crop of fruit and then die. Removing large amounts of foliage at one time can stress the plant. The dirt in the ground can carry viruses which can harm the plants such as blight. This will prevent the splashing of soil up onto the tomato plant and the tomato plants wounds. The Difference Between Vining and Bush Tomatoes, Determinate Versus Indeterminate Tomatoes, 3 Tomato Plant Problems and How to Prevent Them, Identifying and Controlling Early Blight on Tomato Plants. unlocking this expert answer. Sometimes the tomato plants in our gardens get so large and so unwieldy that you can’t help but wonder, “Should I prune my tomato plants?” This question is quickly followed by, “Exactly how do I prune tomato plants?” Let’s look at these two questions. When it comes to pruning tomato plants, it’s all about clearing space to promote better air circulation, provide more light, and keep pests and disease at bay. But the study did not find that pruning tomato suckers ever helped with the yield of the plant. Even though I love even the small or ugly tomatoes, I prune some of my tomato plants for the sheer beauty of a big, hearty tomato. Some growers decide not to prune at all, and some go over the top with pruning. The key to success with tomato plants is pruning! ALL Tomato plants should be pruned to lift them up off the ground and create healthier plants. Prune the cherry tomato plant to one or at most two main stems, and remove lower branches to deter splashback reinfection of pathogens left in the dirt from previous years. By the time your tomato plant gets to be this size, the plant will have branches coming off the main stem. Yes. Download our FREE Tomato Growing Guide and learn how to grow delicious tomatoes. As a tomato grows, side shoots, or suckers, form in the crotches, or axils, between the leaves and the main stem. Sign up for our newsletter. Basic Pruning for Healthy Growth Prune Lower Growth From Tomatoes For Health Do I need to prune my plant or just let them keep on growing and one I run out of cage space what to use for support? When a tomato plant is pruned properly, all of the foliage receives adequate sunlight, and the plant is able to photosynthesize more efficiently, boosting growth and fruit production. Unpruned foliage will eventually grow into new branches that will form fruit, but most experienced growers advise that tomatoes should be pruned to not only produce larger fruit earlier in the season but also to protect the plants against pest and disease problems. Pruning tomato plants is completely up to each and every gardener. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! There’s no one right way to do it. If you are growing determinate tomatoes, you don't want to prune. These spores are easily transmitted to plants when they splash up on the lower leaves of plants. If I were you, I wouldn’t prune my plants at all if I just started growing. If you decide to prune, it's really a very simple process. Read our, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. But, on an anecdotal level, a great many Master Gardeners recommend the practice of pruning tomato plants. If you're not concerned about growing large fruit or trying to keep the plants under control, you don't need to worry about pruning. Although the results of my experiment have led me to stop or at least limit the pruning I do on my own tomato plants, I do not necessarily believe my method is right for everyone. Pruning, in particular, is often portrayed as a dark art, with dire consequences for your crop if you get it w Indeterminate Tomato Varieties: Support wikiHow by Your answer to the question of, “Should I prune my tomato plants?” is your own, but now you have some additional information on why and how to prune tomato plants. Should I prune my tomato plants? Tomatoes don't like to dry out but they also don't like to stay wet. (The first pruning, at 4-5 weeks, is critical for building strong stems that will support fruit.) Pruning your marijuana plants can have some advantages in certain cases, but it’s not necessary. Side stems affect plant vigor. The common practice is to prune the suckers at the bottom of tomato plants. Lastly, whether you regularly prune or not, it's a good idea to give your tomato plants a late pruning a few weeks before the end of the growing season. Using a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears, snip these small sucker branches off. Looking for additional tips on growing perfect tomatoes? There is one big catch: You should only prune indeterminate varieties, which produce new leaves and flowers continuously through the growing season. 3 Reasons Why You Should Prune Your Tomatoes. It’s a personal decision for each gardener. The main reason to prune tomato plants is that it helps your plant direct its energy toward producing fruit rather than producing more foliage. Break away easier Thing '': a new Video Series are growing determinate tomatoes are … I... An anecdotal level, a great many Master gardeners recommend the practice pruning... 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