Should I Remove Suckers from Tomato Plants?

One of the most common questions that tomato growers ask is whether or not they should remove suckers from their plants. Suckers are the small, new shoots that grow from the main stem of a tomato plant. They often appear in the crotch between the stem and a branch, and they can grow quite large if left alone.

What are Suckers?

Suckers are a type of side shoot that grow from the main stem of a tomato plant. They can be classified into two types – terminal and lateral. Terminal suckers grow from the very top of the main stem, while lateral suckers emerge from the crotch between the stem and a branch.

While it’s natural for tomato plants to produce suckers, they can become a nuisance if they’re not pruned properly. This is because they divert resources away from the main stem and can reduce the overall yield and quality of your crop.

The Pros of Removing Suckers

There are several benefits to removing suckers from your tomato plants:

Bigger Fruits: If you remove suckers, you’re allowing the plant to channel more energy into developing larger fruits that are juicier and tastier.

Higher Yield: By removing sucker shoots, you'll ensure that the plant's energy is focused on producing a larger number of fruits, which leads to a bigger yield.

Less Disease: A crowded plant is more likely to become disease-prone, and suckers can lead to overcrowding. By removing them, you can help prevent the spread of diseases like blight.

Easier Maintenance: Pruning suckers can help make it easier to manage and maintain your tomato plants. By removing them, you can create a more structured and manageable plant that’s easier to work with.

The Cons of Removing Suckers

While pruning suckers can have some benefits, there are some downsides as well:

Stress: Removing suckers from a tomato plant can be stressful and may result in slowed growth or a reduced yield, especially if the plant is already under stress due to environmental factors.

Damage: Pruning can damage the stem, which can lead to infection and disease if done improperly. It's essential to be careful when removing suckers to avoid any damage to the plant.

Time-Consuming: Pruning suckers can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have many plants in your garden. You'll need to invest time in correctly identifying and removing the right shoots.

When to Remove Suckers from Tomato Plants

Knowing when to remove suckers from your tomato plants is crucial for success. You need to catch the shoots at the right time to get the best results.

The general rule of thumb is to prune suckers when they’re small, about the size of a quarter. Wait too long, and the suckers can become too thick and challenging to remove without causing damage to the plant.

It's also best to remove suckers in the morning when the plants are less stressed and the weather is cooler.

How to Properly Remove Suckers

Proper technique is crucial when pruning suckers. Follow these steps:

Identify the sucker shoot by looking for the new growth coming from the crotch between a stem and a branch.

Use a clean and sharp pair of pruning shears to remove the sucker as close to the main stem as possible.

Discard the removed sucker in the trash or compost bin.

Conclusion

While removing suckers from your tomato plants requires a bit of time and effort, it can have a significant impact on your yield and fruit quality. By following the proper techniques and timing, you can keep your plants healthy and productive.