Where Are Suckers on Tomato Plants?

If you are growing tomato plants, you may have heard of the term "suckers." Suckers are small shoots that grow between the stem and the branch of a tomato plant. These shoots can sap the plant's energy and can reduce your crop yield. In this article, we will explore more about suckers on tomato plants and where to find them.

What Are Suckers?

Before we go into where you can find suckers on your tomato plants, let's first understand what they are. Suckers are essentially new growth that appears between the main stem and a branch. These shoots emerge from the axil, which is the point where the stem and the leaf meet.

Suckers can often be identified by their pale green color and by the presence of two small leaves at their base. If left to grow, suckers can become branches themselves, which can further take away the plant's energy and yield.

Why Are Suckers a Problem?

Many gardeners choose to remove suckers from their tomato plants because they can drain the plant's energy and reduce the yield. When left to grow, suckers can become branches themselves and develop fruit. However, this can take away vital energy from the rest of the plant, resulting in smaller fruit and a lower yield.

Furthermore, by removing suckers, you can improve the airflow around the plant, reducing the chance of disease and pests. Suckers can often trap moisture and create humid conditions, which can attract pests and lead to the development of diseases like blight.

Where to Find Suckers on Tomato Plants?

Suckers can develop on almost any variety of tomato plant, and they typically appear in the lower part of the plant where the stem meets the branches. The lower part is where the plant typically receives less sunlight, so removing the suckers can help to redistribute the available energy evenly around the plant.

You can find suckers by looking at the axils of the plant, which is the area where the stem and the leaf of the plant meet. Suckers tend to emerge from this point and develop into new shoots. They may also branch off other suckers and continue to grow, creating a web-like appearance around the plant.

How to Remove Suckers from Tomato Plants?

Now that we understand what suckers are and where they are commonly found let's focus on how to remove them from your tomato plants. The best time to remove suckers is when they are small, usually less than four inches long. Small suckers are easier to remove without damaging the plant, and they will not have developed a significant branch system.

To remove suckers, you can use a sharp knife, pruning shears or simply pinch them off with your fingers. Be sure to cut or pinch the sucker off cleanly and as close to the stem as possible. If you leave a small stub on the plant, it can create an opening for diseases and pests to enter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, suckers are small shoots that can grow between the stem and the branch of a tomato plant. While they can turn into branches themselves, they can reduce the plant's energy and yield. By removing the suckers when they are small, you can improve airflow around the plant, reduce the chance of disease and pests, and increase your crop yield.