Removing tomato leaves

[Lotsaveg]

I went to see a commercial tomato grower today and got some very useful info regarding the removal of leaves. He told me that when a leaf is ready to remove it will easily snap off when you pull it downwards. Leaves that aren't ready to be removed will just bend.

I came home and went through my tomatoes and he was right!! The lowest, yellowy leaves snapped off easily!

[briggsy2011]

hi there
thats good to know, should i remove the flowers and buds as they appear?
thanks

[rustylady]

Actually, the best way to remove yellowy bottom leaves is to push them up, then down

[Glutton4...]

should i remove the flowers and buds as they appear?
thanks

Only if you don't want them to fruit!?

[briggsy2011]

ok thanks - you can i tell i new to this lol - just thought i read somewhere to remove the buds to give more energy to grow the fruit.

but thanks for that

[Florence Fennel]

We've all got to start somewhere Briggsy, just keep reading the threads and asking questions and you'll learn in no time. Hope you get lots of flowers and then lots of fruit.

[Creemteez]

Hi Briggsy,
I think you are talking about side-shooting or "Armpitting" as we often call it on here.
Some tomatoes do produce better crops (ie. larger fruit which are more likely to ripen) if you remove the side shoots. These are the shoots that grow out at a ninety degree angle between the main stem and a leaf joint.
They also produce flowers and if left on would develop into fruit, but they may be smaller than the rest.
You just have to nap them off. This also keeps the plant tidier and less prone to moulds as the air can circulate more freely.
Leave the top shoot intact and tie it loosely to some support so that itdoesn't flop.
Good luck with your tommies, I'm sure they'll be great.