Do you pinch the suckers off tomato plants?

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Mrs_Morris Morris, IL(Zone 5a) May 27, 2009

I'm going for quantity, and have always in the past pinched the suckers (new growth from between the stem and the leaves) off of all but cherry and roma type. I am hoping for some advice.

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cue_chik Palm Coast, FL(Zone 9a) May 27, 2009

I do simply because experienced gardeners have explained that these 'suckers' do not bear fruit and actualy take up some of the plants energy resources. SO.. yes, I pinch them off.

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Qinx Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7a) May 27, 2009

Actually the 'suckers' can produce fruit.

If the plant is determinate, do not pinch off the suckers. The plant normally will end it's own growth with no more stemming. The stems (suckers included) of a determinate plant usually end with a fruit cluster. A determinate plant will set all of it's fruit at one time

If the plant is indeterminate/semi-determinate, it is your choice if you pick them off or not.

If you pick them off:
1. then more energy is available for the main stem.
2. There may be fewer fruits produced, but they should be larger and good quality.
3. Keeps the plant from growing into a jungle.

If you do not pick them off:
1. Energy is distributed between the many stems.
2. There will be more fruit, but they may be smaller.
3. Plant may create a mini-jungle with many branches.

Qinx

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HoneybeeNC Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b) May 27, 2009

Mrs_Morris - I agree with what Qinx said.

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Qinx Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7a) May 27, 2009

Here is a good page about tomatoes from the Virginia Cooperative Extension site.

http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-418/426-418.html

....If tomato plants in wire cages are pruned at all, once is enough; prune to three or four main stems....


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cue_chik Palm Coast, FL(Zone 9a) May 27, 2009

well, mine is an indetermnate.. so I guess pinching the 'suckers' isnt a bad thing...LOL

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Qinx Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7a) May 28, 2009

Just remember there's a sucker born every day... hmm. guess that's a different topic all together.

I pinch most of mine to try and manage a few stems without creating too large a jungle. It's our first year with a new garden with vertical trellises and I crowded them a bit.

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cpredhead Ruffin, NC Jun 04, 2009

You could root those suckers and have late tomatoes.
Carol

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Mrs_Morris Morris, IL(Zone 5a) Jun 06, 2009

Thanks for the info. Pinching for indeterminate, no pinching for determinate( cherries, and romas). Kinda depends on caging and space available.

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