How to Pinch off Branches of Tomato Plants

If you want to grow healthy tomato plants with lots of fruits, it's important to pinch off some of the branches. By doing so, you encourage the plant to focus its energy on producing bigger and better tomatoes, instead of wasteful growth. Here's what you need to know about how to pinch off branches of tomato plants:

Step 1: Identify the Suckers

The branches you need to pinch off are called suckers. Suckers are the new, green shoots that grow in the crotch between the main stem and the larger branches. They can also grow directly from the main stem, just above a larger branch. Suckers are easy to spot because they have only two leaves, whereas regular branches have many leaves.

Step 2: Decide Which Suckers to Remove

Not all suckers need to be removed. In fact, some tomato growers prefer to leave some of them alone to increase the plant's overall productivity. However, if you let too many suckers grow, your plant will become too bushy and the fruits will be smaller and less flavorful. It's best to remove suckers that are growing too close to each other, that are too long or too thick, or that are growing below the first flower cluster.

Step 3: Pinch off the Suckers

To remove suckers, simply grasp the base of the sucker between your thumb and index finger, and gently twist it until it breaks away from the main stem. Don't use scissors or a knife to remove suckers, as you may accidentally cut the main stem or other important branches.

Step 4: Remove Lower Branches

In addition to removing suckers, you can also pinch off the lower branches of your tomato plants. These are the branches that grow too close to the ground and may get infected with soil-borne diseases. Removing them will increase air circulation around the plant and prevent the leaves from getting wet, which can lead to fungal infections.

Step 5: Watch for New Suckers

Once you've pinched off the unwanted suckers and lower branches, keep an eye on your tomato plants for new growth. It's normal for new suckers to appear as the plants grow, so you'll need to continue removing them periodically throughout the growing season.

Pinching off branches of tomato plants is a simple yet effective way to improve the quality and yield of your tomato crops. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to growing healthy, juicy tomatoes that are bursting with flavor.