How to Prune Suckers on Tomato Plants

If you want to grow healthy and productive tomato plants, pruning is an important task you need to add to your gardening schedule. One crucial pruning technique is removing the suckers that grow between the main stem and side branches of the plant. Suckers are small, leafy shoots that can weaken the plant by diverting its energy from producing fruits. Below are some tips on how to prune suckers on tomato plants.

Step 1: Identify Suckers

The first step in pruning suckers on tomato plants is identifying them. Suckers are easy to spot, as they grow between the stem and a leaf branch. They often emerge at the bottom of the plant but can grow higher up as well. You can identify suckers by looking for tiny leaves and stems that grow between the main stem and the branch. Suckers will grow into whole branches if left alone, which can reduce the number and size of fruits.

Step 2: Decide Which Suckers to Remove

Not all suckers need to be removed from tomato plants, especially with indeterminate varieties. Indeterminate tomatoes produce fruits throughout the entire season and can handle more foliage. However, it's still essential to eliminate some suckers to keep the plant productive. Choose to remove suckers that grow close to the ground, as they're more likely to be diseased, and those that form where there is no support for a new branch.

Step 3: Use Proper Tools

When pruning suckers on tomato plants, you need to use appropriate tools, such as sharp pruning shears or scissors. Make sure the blades are sterilized before and after pruning to prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, avoid using hands to break off suckers, as they can leave the plant vulnerable to bacterial or fungal infections.

Step 4: Remove Suckers Carefully

When you've identified the suckers to remove from the tomato plants, it's time to begin pruning. Hold the sucker with one hand and gently pull the stem down and away from the main stem with your other hand until it snaps off. Make the cut about 1/4 inch above the base of the sucker. Avoid pruning when the weather is hot and dry, as this can stress the plant.

Step 5: Observe the Effects

After pruning suckers from tomato plants, observe how the plants react. Indeterminate varieties will still produce fruits, but determinate varieties will produce fewer but larger fruits. Pruning also improves air circulation and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of diseases such as blight, which thrive in moist and shady conditions. While pruning can enhance plant health and productivity, avoid excessive cutting, as this can make the plants vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Conclusion

Pruning suckers on tomato plants is an important gardening task that can improve plant health, increase productivity, and reduce the risk of diseases. By following the above tips, you can identify and remove suckers correctly, promoting healthy growth and fruit production. Make pruning suckers a regular part of your gardening routine and enjoy healthy and productive tomato plants.