Here you go - 100+ discussions on pruning. :-) If you really want to read them. But you are right that it is strictly an "opinion" issue and depends on the type (det. vs. indet.) of tomato, what support system you use, what spacing you use (I'd never use 1' or even an 18" spacing no matter how much I pruned), your particular growing conditions, how many plants you grow, how much time you have to devote to plant care, and what your primary goal is. Sooo - evidence of what? Less work if you don't prune? Amen, especially if you grow lots of plants. Better yield? That one is pretty straight forward. If you remove productive branches from the plant you lose production. Bigger fruit? Possibly but highly debated. Some studies show a mild, measurable increase in size of some fruit, some show little to none. More size increase seems to come from removing blooms rather than branches. Overall plant health? Too many variables in the growing conditions provided to prove one way or another but pruning is removing the plant's primary source of photosynthesis and destroying much of its secondary circulation system so draw your own conclusions. Taste? No way to quantify it. Plant size? The more you prune an indeterminate the taller the plant gets. Been there and done that with stakes, sprawl, tripods, tepees, cattle pannels, cages, etc. So if you use stakes you will very likely have to do some extensive pruning. Same with string supports. Cages (real cages not the 3 ring things) none is required. Florida weave - none required. Cattle panels - some required. To me the important point about the to prune or not to prune question is that the act of pruning is strictly optional, that there is absolutely no truth to the old wives tale that has hung around for a century and keeps rearing its ugly head that you MUST prune, that you MUST remove suckers, etc. That is what I take issue with. Otherwise, once the gardener understands the effects it has on the plant, weighs the pros and cons, then it is personal choice. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning discussions

omg about choked when I saw this...unlike dave I waited till crisis mode, before rushing to the local hospital er at 3am!...my colon had finally rebelled and was scaring me to pieces! after being admitted, I was treated to a wonderful team of nurses but still was facing the dreaded decision... doc didn't give me a choice...as I hadn't had to eat since my dinner the night before, they made an apt for 7am the next day! about 2-3 pm I was given golightly product although unlike dave, mine was like being drowning in the ocean it was soooo salty tasting...the nurses gave me cups of crushed ice as if this would numb my taste buds, lol.. bright and early at 6 am was rolled down to the prep area...(out patient care) after hooking me up to yet another bag of saline, monitors, ect, was taken to the next room...after putting on oxygen, noticed the clock going around in circles, lol....that was the last thing I remember...they made necessary repairs, and finally was sent back up to my room...all I can say is just don't wait as long as I did....

I read this a while ago, and it's still funny. In April, I was aware/awake through most of my colonoscopy, watching the video monitor, and when they had to snip off a polyp, it hurt like h*ll! I have to have a follow up colonoscopy in October, and I made sure the PA noted that I will need to be sedated completely this time. I am NOT looking forward to it. Only good thing about the prep liquid is that mine came with six different flavors to choose from. I chose the pina colada flavor. Next time, I will pour out a pint at a time and use the different flavors.

I volunteer in the GI Lab and this is hilarious. I have learned a few things that might be of help to you future colonoscopy recipients: 1. choose a doc that does NOT use the Colyte. 2. make your appointment for early morning. Trust me on this one. Maybe before 9:00 AM. You'll thank me later. 3. Stop eating 1 1/2 days before procedure instead of just 1 day before. Trust me on this one, too. 4. If you have any concerns or real problems, tell the doc or nurse BEFORE you go into procedure, b/c when it's over, you won't remember to ask him a thing, unless it's like "when can I eat and go home?" Trust me on this one, too. I had 1 2 weeks ago and I don't remember who put my clothes on me afterwards, or how I got down to the car, or the doc coming in for the consultation afterwards. When you volunteer in a GI Lab, there are lots of ANGRY people b/c they're hungry, and they're always running late. Hence, the early morning appointment. Just trust me on all this!!LOL If you DO have one scheduled, I'd be happy to tell you the prep my doc uses which does not include Colyte, and it's not Rx. But, next time the Vodka may be included in my prep!! LOL