Can a Tomato Plant Be Too Big to Sucker?

Tomato plants require regular pruning to maintain healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. One common technique used to encourage fruit production is called “suckering.” This involves removing the small shoots that grow in the joint between the main stem and a leaf. However, as tomato plants grow bigger, some gardeners wonder if it is still necessary to sucker them. In this article, we will explore whether a tomato plant can be too big to sucker.

Suckering Basics

Before we delve into the topic of whether tomato plants can be too big to sucker, let’s first review why suckering is important. When a tomato plant grows, it sends out shoots called suckers, which can eventually grow into new stems. While this may seem beneficial, allowing too many stems to grow can result in reduced fruit production and smaller fruits. That’s because the plant will have to divide its energy and nutrients among too many stems.

By removing suckers, we can focus the plant’s resources on the main stem and encourage larger, healthier fruits. Suckering also improves airflow and reduces the risk of disease, as it prevents the plant from becoming too dense.

Can a Tomato Plant Be Too Big to Sucker?

The short answer is no. You can and should continue to sucker tomato plants, regardless of their size. In fact, larger plants may require even more vigilance when it comes to suckering, as they tend to produce more suckers. By removing them regularly, you can prevent the plant from becoming too crowded and promote the growth of larger, healthier fruits.

That being said, larger plants can be more difficult to manage when it comes to suckering. It may be more time-consuming and physically demanding to remove the suckers, especially if the plant has grown tall and dense. To make things easier, you can use pruning shears or a sharp knife to remove suckers, rather than trying to snap them off by hand.

When to Sucker Tomatoes

To get the most out of your tomato plants, it’s important to sucker them regularly throughout the growing season. This typically means starting the process when the plant is about 6 to 8 inches tall and continuing to remove suckers as they appear. You should also remove any suckers that appear below the first fruit cluster, as these can be a drain on the plant’s energy.

One exception to this rule is determinate tomato varieties. These plants produce a set number of fruits and then stop growing. Since determinate plants have a limited lifespan, there is no need to sucker them. Indeterminate varieties, on the other hand, can continue to grow and produce fruits throughout the growing season, so they require more attention when it comes to suckering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no such thing as a tomato plant that is too big to sucker. Regardless of the size of your plant, you should continue to remove suckers regularly to promote healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. By investing a little time and effort into suckering, you can maximize the potential of your tomato plants and enjoy a delicious crop of juicy, flavorful fruits.