I'm growing tomatoes for the first time and I've come across a lot of mixed advice online about whether or not to prune suckers. I watched a video comparing two identical tomato plants—one was pruned and the other was left unpruned. Surprisingly, the unpruned plant looks fantastic and is producing a lot more tomatoes than the one I've been trimming. Now I'm worried that I might have hurt my plants, especially since I haven't seen any tomatoes yet. I've been trying to pollinate the flowers manually since I haven't seen any bees around. What are your thoughts on this?
5 Answers
Living in western Washington, I can tell you that pruning is essential here to avoid mold issues. Climate really matters—what works in other regions, like sunny California, might not work for us. Just keep your local weather in mind when caring for your plants!
The decision to prune really depends on a few key factors. If you live in a wet area, pruning can be beneficial for airflow and mold prevention. Also, consider how well you can support your plants as they grow; if they get too big without support, branches can break. Ultimately, it's not just about maximizing the quantity of tomatoes you grow, but rather producing a manageable crop of high-quality fruit that you can actually use.
I've actually had flowers come from the suckers, so my advice is to only prune if the plant is getting too bushy and airflow is a problem. Otherwise, let them do their thing!
Honestly, I'd say don’t prune at all! From my experience, it just seems to hinder the growth more than help. Let those suckers grow!
I'm not an expert, but I’ve grown tomatoes both ways. I let mine go full blast this season, and now they’re nearing 6 feet tall! I did thin out the middle a bit for better airflow, but overall, it's working out fine.
Yeah, I think letting them be is often the way to go. Just make sure there's enough room for air to circulate.