Article content
Every grower wants healthy and strong plants. Sometimes we think that the more a plant is branched, the larger the yield will be.
But with tomatoes that’s not quite the case, and they need to be pruned.
Many novice gardeners probably ask why the leaves of tomato bushes should be pruned. That’s because this stimulates their development. After removing several leaf shoots, all nutrients are directed to the plant’s growing points.
Moreover, if the bushes are too dense and don’t ventilate properly, the shade and moisture under their leaves create ideal conditions for the development of molds and harmful insects. By pruning them we therefore also protect them from diseases and pest infestations.
When to start removing leaf shoots and how to prune them?
When a tomato bush develops 10 large leaf stalks, it’s time to thin them out. You can cut off 2-3 at once, specifically the lower shoots that touch the ground. Cut them with sharp scissors or another suitable tool, but be careful not to damage the stem.
If the tomato bushes are short, remove the lower leaves only once. If you grow taller varieties, repeat removal of lower leaves (2 leaves every 2 to 3 weeks). After thinning, each bush should have at least 5 leaves, ideally 8.
Once the large leaf shoots have been removed, you should also remove the very smallest shoots.
You should, however, know that this procedure is used only on tall tomato varieties (usually grown in greenhouses and polytunnels).
The smallest shoots should not be cut off completely, but leave a small stub on the stem. This will slow their growth.
