| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SusieK |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 10:32:20 AM
can you prune tomato plants after they up in size? Please help |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 05:55:10 AM
I just did some research on that. Of course, you will always have one side saying 'do it' and the other says 'don't'. From what I gathered, the downside to pruning is that there is not as many leaves to perform photosynthesis, which of course is the lifeblood of the plant. I should also mention that I am discussing pruning AFTER fruiting for my indeterminate heirlooms. I did use to prune off all the suckers, but then it got to be too overwhelming since I have a LOT of mater plants and I couldn't keep up. So, I let the vines run wild until frost. Some plants produce both a great early summer and fall harvest. I try to keep those varieties around!
Anyway, I won't be pruning again this year, with exception to the yellowed leaves you are talking about. As the plant gets more mature, they do tend to lose those bottom leaves. Plus, by removing those, you are allowing more airflow, which will help to prevent a possible fungal infection, too.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| OneCraftyBugger |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 6:25:18 PM
Doane, thanks for posting the link to that video clip. I loved how they used the string and post instead of the tomatoe cages.
Oh happy day! Farmgirl sister #1485
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFeltedGnome
http://bellasaysitsso.blogspot.com/
http://theswappingcrafter.blogspot.com/ |
| Annab |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 07:55:10 AM
Suckering will promote bigger fruit but not as many, leaving the plant alone will produce lots of smaller and more.
We sucker all the offchutes, so the tomato grows tall.
We also plant all the way up to the first or second row of leaves. Deeper = a stronger root system |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 11:59:23 AM
the yellow leaves might be the "first leaves", not true leaves and those will yellow and fall off...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 10:42:47 AM
The bottom leaves drop sometimes and I was raised pulling them off. Some do and some don't. If you want, you can "trench" them as you go. You'll need a little more room, but my plants always do a little better when I take the time to trench.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 09:17:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eak7yj0tEvM&feature=related Link to a video about pruning tomatoes...
Age only matters if you are wine or cheese.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| Karrieann |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 5:36:33 PM
..another question on tomatoes... I went to pinch mine.. then I notice very few yellowing leaves on the bottom... does that mean too much watering? I can control that.. they're in a large planter.
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 5:07:57 PM
If they are indeterminate tomatoes you can prune all the suckers and the bottom leaves off. I grow mine up clothesline rope that is tied to a stake behind the plant. I prune the heck out of them and I get a lot of fruit that way. Go to DavesGarden.com there is a tutorial about it. I think there is also one at Grit magazine website.
Age only matters if you are wine or cheese.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 4:30:31 PM
Sherry, I'll have to remember that saying, cute...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 4:16:41 PM
the saying i share is more root more fruit. teresa is right on. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 11:37:02 AM
Yes you can, pinch off to make fuller and cut all sucker branches off, mound the soil up higher onto the stem to the top of the nubs you see on stem, this will increase the root system and make your plants stronger and more productive.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Karrieann |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 11:07:34 AM
.. I was wondering along the same thought.. can you "pinch" them to make'em bushier?
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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