Before we start, I want to be extra clear that we’re talking about pruning only indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Monitor the cherry tomato plant regularly for symptoms of disease or pest activity such as spots or fuzzy growth on leaves, leaves that have squiggly lines on them or pests visibly feeding on the plant, and pinch or cut off the affected portions of the plant. If the cherry tomato plant has already developed more large stems than you would like, the unwanted stem or stems may be too thick for easy pinching and may require cutting with a pruning shears or knife. Pruning tomato plants and pinching off sucker stems are two of the best ways to improve a tomato plant’s health, vitality, and production. As the plant continues to grow and fill out, you can continue to prune up to get to the full height of open space. They are determinate if they... Benefits of Pruning Cherry Tomatoes. You want to start pruning tomato plants a when they get to be about 1 – 2 feet (30-60 cm.) 4. If the cherry tomato plant has already developed larger stems than you want to remove use pruning shears or knife. But don’t go crazy with it. If you prune your tomato plants the right way, you can actually get more of that goodness. Regular pruning or pinching can also improve the quality of fruit that the plant produces. Pinch new shoots that appear in leaf axils, where the leaf stem meets the main stem, back to just above the the second leaf once two leaves develop on the new shoot. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Press the base of the petiole, or leaf stem (where the leaf attaches to the main stem), between your thumb and the fingernail of your index finger to cleanly remove the leaf. Prune and Provide Adequate Support Monitor the cherry tomato plant regularly for symptoms of disease or pest activity such as spots or … The first step requires cutting off the stem a little bit above the first five branches in the bottom. University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Tomatoes, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Tomatoes, Washington State University Clark County Extension: Healthy Tomatoes. Pinch new shoots that appear in leaf axils, where the leaf stem meets the main stem, back to just above the the second leaf once two leaves develop on the new shoot. You may choose not to prune your tomatoes and still have an acceptable crop. tall. 2. It towers over 8 feet tall easily and sprawls out all over the place. Their belief is that tomato plants need all of their leaves to best ripen and protect their fruits. These are the ones that keep growing taller and taller and putting on more fruit until your first frost.Determinate tomatoes only grow to a certain height, which is much shorter than indeterminates, and then ripen their fruit in a short window of time. Retain the main stem, and select other strong, healthy shoots emerging from near the base of the plant to keep. Prune Tomato Plants Gradually Do this gradually as the plant grows through the season. Dispose of any diseased or infested portions that you remove from the plant well away from the cherry tomato and other garden crops and ornamentals. Determinate types have self-limiting growth and rarely reach above 4 feet high. Tomato plants fall into one of two types: determinate and indeterminate. There is one big catch: You should only prune indeterminate varieties , which produce new leaves and flowers continuously through the growing season. Dispose of any diseased or infested portions that you remove from the plant well away from the cherry tomato and other garden crops and ornamentals. Yes! Cherry tomato plants, which range from dwarf cultivars to plants that can grow over 6 feet tall, often benefit from pruning to control plant size and shape. If left alone, a sucker forms a large stem that flowers and bears tomatoes. Monitor the cherry tomato plant regularly for symptoms of disease or pest activity such as spots or fuzzy growth on leaves, leaves that have squiggly lines on them or pests visibly feeding on the plant, and pinch or cut off the affected portions of the plant. Prune each stem to about the same length. When you first plant a determinate tomato, you should prune off any flower sets that form before the plant is 18-24 inches (45.5 to 61 cm.) Step 4: Monitor the cherry tomato plant for symptoms of disease and pest activity. In fact, it cut me to the core each time I removed even one healthy leaf. 8 Mistakes New Herb Gardeners Make And How To Avoid Them! The right time for pruning would be about four weeks after planting them in your system. Pruning tomatoes is a topic of much debate - everyone seems to have their own method. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in urban and regional studies. Now, I know that pruning a tomato plant is actually helping the plant survive and is absolutely necessary! Tomato plants form a growing stem that pops out of the crotch where a leaf attaches to the main stem. How to Prune Tomato Plants? Start by removing the first few branches early on. Growing cherry tomato plants in a cage, rather than training them to a stake or trellis for support, takes up more space but allows you to retain up to four or five main shoots and results in a greater yield. Pinch off any leaves from the lower portion of the young tomato plant’s stem at the time of transplant so that you remove all leaves from the area of the stem that you’ll bury. 1. How To Grow Tasty Tomatoes Indoors Or On Patios, Plant Identification: Making A Plant Dichotomous Key. Pick away leaves that are yellow, close to the ground, or aren’t getting enough sun. 5. When the tomato fruits are about 1 inch in diameter, apply 1/2 cup of 5-10-5 fertilizer per plant. 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