How to Pinch Cherry Tomato Plants

Cherry tomatoes are a popular and tasty addition to any garden. However, they can benefit from regular pruning, or pinching, to help stimulate growth and improve overall health. In this article, we will go over the steps to properly pinch your cherry tomato plants.

Step 1: Identify the Suckers

The first step in pinching cherry tomato plants is to identify the suckers. Suckers are small, new shoots that grow in the crotch between the stem and a branch. They can be easily spotted by their smaller size and lighter green color compared to the main stem.

Step 2: Decide Which Suckers to Pinch

Next, you will need to decide which suckers to pinch. While it may be tempting to remove all of them, it is important to leave a few in place to help promote healthy growth. Choose the suckers that are growing the closest to the main stem, as these are the ones that will be taking away nutrients from the rest of the plant if left unremoved.

Step 3: Pinch the Suckers

To pinch the suckers, simply use your fingers to snap them off at the base. Be careful not to damage the main stem or any other branches in the process. It is important to do this as soon as possible, before the suckers have a chance to grow too large and take away too many nutrients from the rest of the plant.

Step 4: Maintain Regular Pinching

Finally, to ensure optimal growth and health for your cherry tomato plants, it is important to maintain regular pinching throughout the growing season. Check your plants every couple of weeks for new suckers, and remove them as necessary. This will help your plants to focus their energy on producing fruit, rather than expanding their foliage.

In conclusion, pinching your cherry tomato plants is a simple yet effective way to help stimulate growth and promote overall health. By following these steps, you can ensure that your plants will produce plenty of delicious, juicy tomatoes all season long.