Why Don't You Sucker Determinate Tomato Plants?

Determinate tomato plants are a type of tomato plant that stays relatively small and produces all of its fruit at once, making them a popular choice for gardeners who want a convenient and easy-to-manage crop. However, one common question that arises when it comes to growing determinate tomato plants is whether or not you should sucker them. In this article, we'll explore why you might choose to sucker determinate tomato plants, and why it might not always be necessary.

What Are Suckers?

Before we dive into whether or not you should sucker determinate tomato plants, it's important to understand what "suckers" are in the context of tomato plants. Suckers are small shoots that grow out of the main stem and branch off into new growth. They're also known as "sideshoots" or "lateral shoots."

On indeterminate tomato plants (which continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season), suckers are often removed to direct the plant's energy toward the main stem and fruit-bearing branches. However, because determinate tomato plants produce all of their fruit at once, it's not always necessary to remove suckers.

Reasons to Sucker Determinate Tomato Plants

Despite the fact that determinate tomato plants are designed to produce one big harvest, there are still some situations in which you might want to remove suckers:

Prevention of Disease

Suckers are often an entry point for diseases and pests, which can be a major problem in any garden. Removing suckers can help prevent the spread of disease by limiting the number of entry points in the plant.

Increased Airflow

Airflow is important for healthy tomato plants, as it helps prevent diseases like blight and allows for proper pollination. By removing suckers, you can increase the airflow around the plant and promote better overall health.

Larger Fruits

Removing suckers can help direct the plant's energy toward the fruit-bearing branches, resulting in larger, healthier fruits.

Reasons Not to Sucker Determinate Tomato Plants

While there are certainly situations in which sucker removal is beneficial, there are also some good reasons to leave suckers intact on determinate tomato plants:

Fewer Fruits

Removing suckers can redirect the plant's energy toward fruit-bearing branches, but it can also reduce the total number of fruits the plant produces. This might not be a significant concern for those who are growing determinate tomato plants specifically for their one big harvest, but for others who want a larger yield, leaving suckers intact might be the better choice.

Time and Effort

Removing suckers can be a time-intensive process, particularly if you have a large number of tomato plants. For those who don't have the time or inclination to remove suckers, leaving them intact might be the easier option.

Aesthetic Appeal

Finally, leaving suckers intact can result in a bushier, more attractive plant. Some gardeners prefer this look, and for them, it might be worth sacrificing a bit of fruit size or yield.

The Bottom Line

So, should you sucker determinate tomato plants? Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and will depend on your goals, preferences, and available time and effort. If you're concerned about disease prevention, increased airflow, and larger fruits, removing suckers might be the way to go. However, if you want a larger yield or simply prefer the look of a bushier plant, leaving suckers intact might be the better choice. Whatever you decide, be sure to keep an eye on your plants and adjust your strategy as needed throughout the growing season.