What Do the Suckers on a Tomato Plant Look Like

Tomato plants are a popular crop among gardeners due to their tasty fruit and relatively easy maintenance. However, maintaining a healthy tomato plant can be challenging. Most gardeners know that tomato plants have suckers that need to be removed, but not everyone knows what these suckers look like or why they need to be removed.

What are Suckers on a Tomato Plant?

Suckers are small shoots that grow out of the main stem of a tomato plant. These shoots commonly appear in the crotch between the main stem and a branch. They are smaller and thinner than the main stem, and they often grow at a faster rate than the rest of the plant.

Why Do Suckers Need to Be Removed?

There are two main reasons to remove suckers from tomato plants. The first reason is that suckers can take away nutrients and energy from the tomato plant. This can lead to smaller fruit and an overall weaker plant. The second reason is that removing suckers can help to improve air circulation around the plant. This reduces the risk of diseases like blight, which can be devastating to tomato crops.

How to Identify Suckers on a Tomato Plant

Identifying suckers on a tomato plant is not difficult. As mentioned, suckers usually grow out of the crotch between the main stem and a branch. They are thin and small, and they often look like tiny versions of the main stem. Some gardeners also describe them as resembling small vines or tendrils.

To identify a sucker, look for a small shoot that is growing in the spot where the main stem and a branch meet. If the shoot is growing from this point, it is likely a sucker. Suckers can usually be distinguished from the main stem because they are thinner and less rigid. They also often have fewer leaves and branches than the main stem.

How to Remove Suckers on a Tomato Plant

Removing suckers from a tomato plant is a straightforward process. Use a pair of sharp and clean pruning shears to cut the sucker off as close to the main stem as possible. Some gardeners recommend cutting away suckers when they are still small to prevent damage to the plant. Others suggest waiting until the suckers have reached a significant size before removing them.

Regardless of when you choose to remove the suckers, be sure to do so carefully and avoid damaging the main stem or other branches in the process. Gardeners should also avoid removing too many suckers at once, as this can be stressful for the plant.

Conclusion

Suckers are an essential part of tomato plant maintenance, and they should be removed to maintain a healthy and productive plant. It is essential to identify suckers correctly and to remove them with care to prevent damage to the main stem or other branches. Regular removal of suckers can help to promote air circulation around the plant, reduce the risk of disease, and encourage larger, healthier fruit.