Should I pinch my tomato seedlings?

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tkeith57 Richmond, IL Apr 01, 2011

My tomato seedlings are up and under my lights and I think doing OK, but I've heard that pinching the plants at some point will cause them to become fuller, is that something I should do soon or wait till later?

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Garden_Sass Central, TX(Zone 8b) Apr 01, 2011

I never pinch (prune) my tomato seedlings, never heard of it, however some gardeners pinch out the suckers on plants after they take off in the garden. I don't do that here since our brutal summers are so hot and the fruit benefits from the shade of leaves.
I transplant my tomato seedlings into larger, deeper pots when they're about 5 inches tall, removing all but the top 2-3 leaf sets, letting them grow on until ready for the garden or 1 gallon pots if the weather is still too cool.
When I transplant them into the garden, I pinch off several bottom leaf sets to plant them deeper. After they establish and begin to grow I remove more leaf sets to keep soil from splashing onto the lower leaves to help prevent soil borne diseases and I mulch with finished compost for a layer of protection.
Mine are protected by 2' dia, 5' tall cages wrapped with lightweight floating row cover (large cloths pins hold the row cover in place) to protect from wind and insect invasion.
Hope this helps...

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tkeith57 Richmond, IL Apr 01, 2011

Thanks busterharrell, I may be mixing this up with trying to make perrenials get fuller by pinching the tops and since my tomatoes where a little tall and lanky looking I was thinking it may be something to consider for them as well. I did just transplant them into Solo cups and buried more of the stem maybe that will do it. Thanks again for your input.

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KathyWid Clover, SC Apr 01, 2011

You can also strengthen tomato seedlings by brushing them or blowing them (gentle fan.) This helps stems to become stronger before hardening off and setting them in the garden. Here's more info:
http://www.tomatodirt.com/strengthen.html
Happy gardening!

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