Pruning Tomato Plants

Tomato plants are easy to grow and maintain. Their basic requirements are few; watering, fertilizing and where possible pruning. Tomatoes can be grown in pots, containers as well as vegetable patches. To decide on the variety, one can visit the local plant nursery to pick up seedlings. Try to collect information about growing the tomato plant variety you have chosen from the experts in the nursery itself. If you prefer to grow them in pots and containers, opt for dwarf varieties like cherry, patio, etc, whereas for a vegetable patch, tall and bushy varieties will do very well. Just as adequate watering and fertilizing are essential to the overall development of the tomato plant, pruning tomato plants the right way and at the right time also adds to its good growth.

Tomato plant pruning helps to increase yield; quantity and quality wise. Pruning tomato plants for more fruits is the most common reason for well pruning of tomato plants! Tomatoes can be grown and harvested for a long period. Not only will the tomatoes be large, but will also be more fleshy and juicy. Pruning helps to keep the plant in shape, and ensures that all pests, insects and diseases are kept at bay, as one snips of all diseased portions of the plants. Tomato plants have a tendency to loop down on the ground, stalking and pruning the lower leaves and veins will not allow the rot to set in them.

How to Prune Tomato Plants
How one goes about pruning tomato plants depends upon a few factors; the age, size and where it is being grown. Although there isn't much difference in its method of pruning, a little detail will go a long way in ensuring a healthy tomato plant and fruit it bears. When to start pruning tomato plants? Start right at its seedling stage.

Pruning Tomato Seedlings: The common rule of 'pinching back the first shoot will encourage plant growth' does not apply to a tomato plant. The seedlings are quite delicate, so one should wait for it to have at least two to three 'suckers' growing from its main stem. The suckers are side shoots that sprout between the main stems of a tomato plant, and go on to become stems, with their own sprouts. This cycle ensures the growth of the tomato plant.

Pruning Tomato Leaves and Flowers: Pruning tomato leaves is quite a tricky affair. They need to be pruned to increase the amount of photosynthesized sugar needed for fruit formation, thereby increasing the fruit's quality. But as more leaves are pruned, the capacity to photosynthesize sugar also reduces in the long run, decreasing the yield or quantity of the produce. While pruning, bear in mind not to get 'snip-happy', as leaves are required to cover and protect fruits from sun scalds. Prune only yellow, browned, or diseased leaves. Pruning tomato flowers is essential to control the number as well as the quality of the fruits. Never use garden shears for this job, just pinch back the flowers with hand.

Pruning Tomato Vines and Stems: As the plant begins to grow, tomato vines and stalks need to be controlled and trained, either on stalks or trellis. Prune all dead, rotten or diseased vines and stems. Especially the ones that touch the ground or have gotten themselves entangled with other vines. Vines and stems need to be pruned for the basic reason of training. As the fruit grows large, it adds the weight to the vines; if not upheld properly, it will fall to the ground and get inflicted with rot.

Pruning Determinate Tomato Plants: Determinate tomatoes are a bushy tomato variety type that grow to a compact predetermined height. This type stops growing when fruit sets on the first bud. Almost all the tomatoes ripen at the same time. Pruning is not recommended for a determinate variety tomato. However, one can always keep the plant clear of all damaged stems, flowers and leaves.

Pruning Indeterminate Tomato Plants: Unlike its cousin, pruning an indeterminate tomato helps increase the yield. This type produces vine-like stems and will continue growing until it dies. Start pruning the plant when it's young, just keep three to four suckers on the main stems. Clear the base stem of all leaves and other sprouts to ensure a clear air flow for the base. This will also help the plants to steer clear of all insects and disease that they can get infected with from the ground.

Pruning Tomato Plants in Pots: Pruning tomato plants in containers or pots is quite similar to pruning them when on ground. However, in a pot, the place to train them gets restricted. So it's better to use dwarf varieties while using the containers. Clear the base of all leaves and stems to increase air flow, and have space to mulch without hurting the plant. As one can use stalks to uphold the plant, prune a young plant to just have five to six suckers. Always keep a check for tomato plant diseases, as in a container, they will spread faster. In a pot, always prune in such a way that each stem is about the same length. This will ensure that the plant does not droop on either side. Once the flowers appear, avoid pruning the leaves just below them. If you want to reduce the number of fruits per stem, just pinch back some flowers. Read more on tips for growing tomatoes in pots and containers.

Pruning tomato plants does not take a lot of time, just concentration, as the stems are slender. Wherever possible use fingers to pinch back growth, or make sure that the garden shear that you use are sharp and not jagged at edges. Over pruning tomatoes may not only damage the yield, but inhibit the plant's growth as well. So what are you waiting for? Get a tomato plant, plant it, prune it, and enjoy the homegrown goodness of tomatoes!