Introduction

If you are a home gardener who grows tomatoes, you might have heard about pinch back technique. Pinch back means to remove the branches or side shoots that grow from the base of tomato plants at regular intervals. Some gardeners swear by this classic gardening technique and others think that it's unnecessary. In this article, we will discuss whether you should pinch back tomato plants or not.

The Pros of Pinch Back Technique

Pinching back tomato plants can have several benefits. Firstly, it helps to promote stronger and healthier main stems. When the side shoots are removed, the plant can concentrate its energy on growing the main stem, which in turn can produce more fruits. Secondly, it can help prevent overcrowding of plants, providing better air circulation, and reducing the risk of diseases. This method is also considered to be an effective way of managing the growth of indeterminate tomato plants that can grow up to six or more feet tall.

The Cons of Pinch Back Technique

While some gardeners swear by pinch back technique, others do not think it's necessary at all. One of the main drawbacks of this method is that it can reduce the total number of fruits that the plant produces. Removing side shoots means removing potential fruit-bearing branches along with them. Additionally, if you pinch back tomato plants too much, it can stress the plant, causing it to produce fewer flowers, which ultimately leads to reduced fruit production. Some gardeners also argue that tomato plants can manage their own growth and pruning them is unnecessary.

When to Pinch Back Tomato Plants

Pinching back tomato plants is generally done when the plants are still young, and the side shoots are still small and easy to remove. If you wait too long, the side shoots can grow thicker, and pruning them can cause damage to the main stem. It's also a good idea to pinch back tomato plants after the first few sets of leaves have appeared. At this stage, the plant is still growing strongly and can easily recover from pruning.

Conclusion

So, should you pinch back tomato plants? The answer is, it depends. It comes down to personal preference and growing conditions. If you want to promote stronger and healthier main stems, manage the growth of indeterminate tomato plants, and prevent overcrowding, then pinch back technique can be beneficial. However, if you want to maximize the total number of fruits that the plant produces and don't want to stress the plant, you might want to skip this technique. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which method works better for your tomato plants.