tomato plant pruning help plz

[robert0881]

i have 3 plants in each large grow bag and they have become very big and crowding each other, Ive taken of the side shoots but im wondering is it possible to take of some of the stems that have no trusses on them to give them room. and if so whats best way to do it?
thanks

[Snadger]

If you've taken of the sideshoots you should in effect only have one stem?

[Two_Sheds]

is it possible to take of some of the stems that have no trusses on them to give them room.

Stem is the main stalk/trunk of the plant. You only have one, so don't cut it off

You can take off some of the leaves if you like, esp the lower ones which tend to go yellow and tatty anyway.

[robert0881]

i think i have a couple of thick stems on each plant. but the prob is that they are very bushy and crowding each other over,ive taken all the side shoots its the big branches with out the trusses that im wondering if i can remove,

[Incy]

i think i have a couple of thick stems on each plant. but the prob is that they are very bushy and crowding each other over,ive taken all the side shoots its the big leaves with out the trusses that im wondering if i can remove,

removing the lower leaves will increase airflow and light and also reduces the risk of blight.....wish I'd known that for the last 2 years

[robert0881]

so is that only the leaves below the first truss?

[Incy]

That's how far up I've pruned mine, but as I said I didn't know this last year. The plants still need some leaves to photosynthesize(sp?). Someone more experienced may be able to give a better explanation.

[teakdesk]

Robert, what people are trying to say is that you haven't actually removed all the side-shoots - you have missed some and they have grown into secondary stems.

I'm wondering if you have confused side-shoots with the leaves ?

That is what side-shoots do - they grow into secondary stems - and they generally do get get flowers and leaves just like the main stem.

Secondary stems are prone to splitting off the plant unless they are well supported.

Since secondary stems are only side-shoots you can remove them at any time - use a knife for a clean cut.

You can keep secondary stems on the plant (well supported) but it does reduce ventilation. Commercial growers often select just one secondary stem and leave it to grow. The downside is that the plant can keep producing flowers and green tomatoes on the secondary stems rather than ripening any of the tomatoes.




However, are you sure that the plant is an indeterminate (cordon) type ?

It could be that it is a bush type and you need to leave all side-shoots on to get tomatoes.

What variety is it ??



This picture may help you see the difference between a leaf and a side-shoot...







For those asking which lower leaves to remove, you can remove all the leaves below the first truss (shown as blue in the picture). Remove any side-shoots that grow in the armpits of the upper leaves.

When all the ripe tomatoes have been picked from the first truss some people remove more leaves up to the second truss - and so on as the tomatoes are picked.

BUT, you should only remove side-shoots AND/OR lower leaves from a cordon type of tomato - if it is a bush type you generally leave it alone to do its own thing!!!! (Although I do a little trimming later in the season when I know I will not be removing flower trusses.)

[Snadger]

Robert, what people are trying to say is that you haven't actually removed all the side-shoots - you have missed some and they have grown into secondary stems.

I'm wondering if you have confused side-shoots with the leaves ?

That is what side-shoots do - they grow into secondary stems - and they generally do get get flowers and leaves just like the main stem.

Secondary stems are prone to splitting off the plant unless they are well supported.

Since secondary stems are only side-shoots you can remove them at any time - use a knife for a clean cut.

You can keep secondary stems on the plant (well supported) but it does reduce ventilation. Commercial growers often select just one secondary stem and leave it to grow. The downside is that the plant can keep producing flowers and green tomatoes on the secondary stems rather than ripening any of the tomatoes.




However, are you sure that the plant is an indeterminate (cordon) type ?

It could be that it is a bush type and you need to leave all side-shoots on to get tomatoes.

What variety is it ??



This picture may help you see the difference between a leaf and a side-shoot...







For those asking which lower leaves to remove, you can remove all the leaves below the first truss (shown as blue in the picture). Remove any side-shoots that grow in the armpits of the upper leaves.

When all the ripe tomatoes have been picked from the first truss some people remove more leaves up to the second truss - and so on as the tomatoes are picked.

BUT, you should only remove side-shoots AND/OR lower leaves from a cordon type of tomato - if it is a bush type you generally leave it alone to do its own thing!!!! (Although I do a little trimming later in the season when I know I will not be removing flower trusses.)

Thats the second time I've heard that gardeners technical term 'armpit' this week!

[growingkasbar]

I have a question. I thought my tomato plants were a nbush variety but now they are about 1 and a half to 2 ft tall and they only have 1 set of flowers on the top. Should i be removing all the shoots leafs and everything below these so that i have just one stem?

[selfraising]

Great advice here, thanks guys cos I have missed a side shoot which has developed into a largish branch, so have just been out and cut it off!

[cheerfulness]

What a brilliant picture and explanation, Teakdesk. I've found that immensely helpful.

[Magiccat1978]

I agree, Thats a great picture, this is my 1st year growing and that has helped alot. Thanks

[teakdesk]

I have a question. I thought my tomato plants were a nbush variety but now they are about 1 and a half to 2 ft tall and they only have 1 set of flowers on the top. Should i be removing all the shoots leafs and everything below these so that i have just one stem?

No, if it is a bush type just leave it alone.

My advice about removing leaves is really only for cordon types.

2 feet tall is still a little small to have loads of flowers - have patience!!!

What variety is it ?

[Two_Sheds]

Teakdesk ... a picture is worth a million words. Nice one.