Pulling suckers and then stopping and effect on Tomato production
k3c4forlife
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (20)
harveyhorses
11 years agok3c4forlife
11 years agoRelated Discussions
comparing pruned and not pruned tomato production?
Comments (12)lonmower - Like you I'm in a cool summer climate. We're in a clearing in the woods in western WA, so a bit cooler yet. Once the sun lowers in mid August we get even more dappled shade for part of the day from the tall trees. I have pruned before thinking it was the right thing to do. It wasn't worth the time or lower harvest plus when there is a hot spell you get sunscald like was said. I have pretty good air circulation, so that's not been a problem even with an intensively planted row. You could try pruning one plant & see what you notice. I either pruned or not, so can't really compare one plant to another. I just prefer to let the tomatoes grow like crazy in June hopefully blossoming & setting fruit into July. My goal is 5 trusses of fruit per plant. If I pruned them I would be removing chances of fruit. In a long season climate you could prune and still get a good harvest. I know my 5 trusses is meager, but a reasonable goal for my short season. I plant more plants to try to make up the difference and count every vine ripened tomato a blessing. I encourage the tomatoes to ripen by stopping watering in August & only water if plants wilt. I have lots of organic matter in my soil + mulch + soakers to water. Around Labor Day if not right before I cut any blossoms & small fruits. Once temps are below 50 degrees again I bring in all fruits to ripen inside because when it's cold like that they lose flavor and just rot. Below 50 degrees the garden becomes a refrigerator, which is good for fall & winter harvesting of cool weather vegetables, but not warm weather ones. Others in my area can keep them producing until frost especially with some protection after that 1st early light frost in October....See MoreHow can I stop my trees from suckering?
Comments (2)Trees can sucker, or increase production of suckers, for a number of reasons. Some sucker profusely just because that's their growth habit, some may sucker due to root disturbance, and some may sucker because of disease, decline, or physical damage. Trees respond to removing suckers in various degrees. Some do tend to eventually somewhat give up if their suckers are continually removed and as the tree matures. I've seen reports that claim that pulling suckers off, when possible, works better than cutting them. I can't remember the exact mechanism, but pulling the suckers off does something to help to reduce regrowth. Removing the suckers earlier would make this much more practicable. There are also various types of chemicals available to stop suckering. I will include a link to an example below. Here is a link that might be useful: just one example of a sucker reducing chemical...See MorePlucking "sucker" growth from tomato plants
Comments (6)Tons of discussions here about this that the search will pull up. We even have a FAQ here on it. Pruning - what you call plucking the suckers - is strictly optional. It is not required for any reason. It is one of the enduring garden myths from eons ago when the erroneus claim was made that the "suckers", which are actually lateral fruit producing branches, supposedly "suck" energy from the plant. It's use is tied to the type of plant (determinate or indeterminate), the plant spacing used, and the method of support used (single stakes, tripods, various types of cages, string, Florida weave, etc.) And while there is some evidence that the remaining fruit might be marginally larger, the overall production is substantially reduced. There is no proof that the remaining fruit will be stronger, sweeter, healthier, or any of the other claims made. So do it if you wish to for some reason but only on indeterminate variety plants and as long as you understand that you are only doing it to improve the plant spacing or the support, not for the fruit that results. You can remove them all as they develop so only a single stem results. Or you can leave 2 of them and have 3 main stems. But snip/pinch them off while they are as small as possible. Going back later and removing several large ones is very stressful for the plant. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ - To prune or not to prune...See MoreExcessive heat permanently stopping tomatoes setting fruit
Comments (8)Who told you the 3-days-at-72-degrees bit? There's a lot of bad tomato folklore out there.... AFAIK, the pollen becomes non-viable if daytime lows are 90-95 degrees and nighttime lows are either below 55 or above 75. There is some variation by variety (and cherries will set at higher temperatures). The FAQ says "Fruit set will resume when temperatures moderate." Why are the blooms on my tomato plant dying and falling off? The only high-temperature effect I'm aware of is on the pollen. So the plant should continue to make flowers, and those flowers should set fruit when temperatures are more favorable. [Have you ever experienced a hot summer where tomato plants continued to grow but no longer flowered?] Now, high humidity is another factor: it also makes pollen non-viable. I don't know the figures for overly-high humidity. And on a stressed plant, tiny, developing blossoms will often drop for whatever reason (I assume mostly either inadequate water or the plant has already set as many fruit as it can take care of)....See Morenew_b_gardener
11 years agonew_b_gardener
11 years agocarolyn137
11 years agok3c4forlife
11 years agonew_b_gardener
11 years agopegleg48
11 years agorobeb
11 years agok3c4forlife
11 years agonew_b_gardener
11 years agok3c4forlife
11 years agoDjole
11 years agoBets
11 years agonew_b_gardener
11 years agodigdirt2
11 years agonew_b_gardener
11 years agoqaguy
11 years agok3c4forlife
11 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSSummer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes
Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil
Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGOff the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?
What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home
Full StoryENTERTAINING10 Steps to Pull Together Your Living Room Before the Holidays
Boost comfort, flow and visual appeal in your main entertaining room to make guests feel more welcome
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGInsulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope
Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNAutomation Meets Innovation in the Newest Kitchen and Bath Products
Home features from closets to toilets are going touchless, remote controlled and more accessible than ever. See for yourself
Full StoryLIFEHard Winter? 9 Ways to Battle Cabin Fever
We know a lot of you are trapped where it just won’t stop snowing. Here are some ways to survive
Full StoryEXTERIOR COLORExterior Color of the Week: Bewitching Black
Think you’ve got what it takes to pull off this bold, trendy color choice for exteriors?
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNStress Less With Distressed Cabinets
Stop worrying over every little nick and chip. Intentionally aged cabinets give the kitchen or laundry room a relaxed, timeworn look
Full StoryMORE ROOMSHome Tech: Getting Rid of Wires Without Sacrificing Sound
Wireless home technology still isn't perfect, but new products are giving audiophiles choices
Full Story
robeb