When to Sucker Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables grown in gardens. With their sweet, juicy fruits and numerous health benefits, it's no wonder that many gardeners choose to grow them. However, to get the best yield and quality from your tomato plant, you need to know when to sucker them.

What Are Suckers?

Suckers, also known as side shoots, are small shoots that form in the axils (the point where the leaves attach to the stem) of tomato plants. They are essentially new tomato plants that grow from the main stem of the plant. While leaving them may seem like a good idea, suckers can actually harm the plant's growth, health, and yield.

Why Should You Sucker Tomato Plants?

Suckers can drain the plant's energy and nutrients, taking away from the growth of the main stem and fruit production. As a result, the tomato plant may grow too tall, too bushy, or too weak. Suckers also create more shaded areas on the plant, leading to higher humidity and increased risk of diseases. Removing them can help your tomato plant grow stronger, healthier, and produce more high-quality fruit.

When to Sucker Tomato Plants?

The ideal time to sucker tomato plants depends on the variety of tomato, the growing season, and the climate. In general, it's best to start removing suckers when they are small, about 2-4 inches long. Larger suckers and branches are harder to remove and can easily damage the main stem.

If you live in a cooler climate or have a shorter growing season, it's best to remove all suckers. This will encourage the plant to focus on developing its main stem and fruits before the season ends. Conversely, if you live in a hot and humid climate, you may want to leave some suckers to provide extra shade for the plant's leaves and fruit.

How to Sucker Tomato Plants?

To sucker tomato plants, start by identifying the suckers growing in the axils of the leaves. Use your fingers or a clean sterilized knife to gently remove them where they meet the main stem. Be careful not to damage the main stem or any other part of the plant. Repeat this process every week or two, depending on how quickly the suckers grow.

Some gardeners may choose not to remove all of the suckers to achieve a bushier and more robust plant. This can work well for indeterminate tomato varieties, but it's best to remove the suckers of determinate varieties to ensure a higher yield and more concentrated fruit production.

Conclusion

Suckering tomato plants may seem like an insignificant task, but it can significantly contribute to the growth, health, and overall success of your tomato plant. By knowing when and how to remove suckers, you can help your tomato plant grow stronger, healthier, and produce more plentiful and high-quality fruit.