How to Prune Indeterminate Tomato Plants

Pruning indeterminate tomato plants is essential to maximize their fruit production potential. These plants are known for their ability to grow continuously, which can result in overly bushy and unmanageable plants with little fruit. Pruning can help control the growth and redirect the plant's energy toward fruit production. In this article, we will discuss how to prune indeterminate tomato plants effectively.

When to Prune

Pruning should begin early in the season when the plant starts to grow. The first step is to remove the suckers, which are small stems that grow between the main stem and the branches. These suckers do not bear fruit and take away valuable nutrients from the plant, so it's essential to remove them as soon as they appear. Waiting too long to prune can cause the plant to become too bushy and challenging to manage.

How to Prune

Pruning tomato plants is relatively simple. Use a pair of clean and sharp pruners or scissors to make a clean cut. Start by removing the suckers, as mentioned earlier. Then, remove any unwanted, damaged, or diseased leaves from the lower part of the plant. Leave the top leaves alone because they provide essential shade for the fruit and protect it from sunscald.

Next, remove any branches that cross each other or that are growing in weird directions. These branches can rub together and create wounds, which can lead to disease. Removing these branches redirects the plant's energy to produce more fruit. Additionally, remove any branches with flowers but no fruit. These branches are called "blind shoots" and do not produce fruit. They also take away valuable nutrients from the plant, so it's best to remove them.

Training Tomato Plants

Training tomato plants is also essential in controlling their growth and maximizing fruit production. One common method is to use a trellis or stake to support the plant. As the plant grows, tie the main stem to the trellis or stake with garden twine, leaving enough slack for growth. This method helps keep the plant upright and prevents it from bending or breaking under the weight of the fruit.

Another training method is called "pruning to one stem." This method involves removing all the side branches of the plant and leaving only the main stem. Tie the main stem to the trellis or stake and continue to remove any suckers that form. This method allows the plant to focus all its energy on producing fruit on one central stem, resulting in larger and more plentiful fruit.

A Few Additional Tips

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when pruning indeterminate tomato plants:

Prune in the morning or late afternoon when the plant is hydrated.

Do not remove more than one-third of the plant at a time to avoid stressing it.

Sterilize your pruners with rubbing alcohol between each cut to avoid spreading diseases between plants.

Water the plant after pruning to reduce stress and prevent wilting.

Conclusion

Pruning and training indeterminate tomato plants takes a bit of effort and time, but it's worth it in the end. By removing suckers, redirecting energy, and training the plant, you can increase fruit production and improve the health of the plant. Don't be afraid to experiment and figure out what pruning method works best for you and your tomato plants.