Cutting off tomato leaves to let in light

[Marb67]

I have some toms in the greenhouse with very healthy growth and flowers. The Trouble is it is getting a bit crowded and light is now limited because of the leaf growth. Am I ok cutting some of the leaves off as a friend once told me his dad swore by doing this to get really good crops ? If anyone else can confirm this helps I would be interested.

Thanks

[Alison]

You're fine to cut off the lower leaves, I try not to yet as I like the idea of maximising photosynthesis as long as possible but have had to in the last when I've planted too close, you are likely to have more problems due to poor air circulation if you don't do something.

[kris1960]

I have done it with all mine but also don't know if I should.

[Potstubsdustbins]

When the fruit has set I do start to trim them. I start at the bottom with the oldest leaves first and take a couple of branches from each plant, always making sure there is plenty of good foliage left. It improves air circulation and helps prevent disease.

[PyreneesPlot]

I do - all the lower ones up to the first truss, over a period of a few weeks.

[roitelet]

I take off all the leaves that are showing signs of yellowing and to improve the air flow and reduce the others by cutting each leaf in half. Seems to work.

BTW congratulations on a success Marb!!!

[kris1960]

I should have said that mine are very close-planted because I am intending to single or double truss.

[Bill HH]

There is more to it than removing leaves to help ripen the tomatoes. If it was that simple why do we find bright red ripe tomatoes in the dark obscure places? I think air circulation is much more important. A tomato plant has more leaves than it needs to do what it has to do,so I definately remove the ones up to the first truss which makes watering easier and then I remove any that seem large and obtrusive to aid air and light flow over the period of their growth. I seem to suffer attacks by tomato hawk moths every year and picking off the grubs is much easier with less leaves.

[sparrow100]

I take off the lower leaves too - for the same air circulation/makes it easier to water reasons. I don't think it does any harm.

[Scoot]

Yeah I take a few branches off the bottom of my plants every week just about.

Like has been said, it makes watering easier and helps with airflow (so I've heard/read).

[Nannysally99]

I too have taken leaves off my tomatoes, first time doing it though.

[KevinM67]

I also remove all bottom branches up to the first fruit.

Additionally, I remove 'suckers' - the growth between the branch and the stem (making sure it's not actually fruit branches.

Does anyone cut the top of the stem when you consider the plant big enough ?

[Nannysally99]

I cut the top off at for or five trusses

[Potstubsdustbins]

Pinch out the leader at 5 trusses for standard toms and 6 trusses for cherries.

[Stan79]

When i pinch out what i think is the main stem, the plant just seems to grow in other places and still seems to grow up! Any advice?