Can you prune cherry tomatoes?
The Jungle Explorer
8 years ago
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rgreen48
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoThe Jungle Explorer
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Pruning Advice for Determinate Cherry Tomatoes
Comments (1)If they are in fact det. and your sure of that, then number 3, never prune a det. Damon...See Morecomparing 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 MorePruning Cherry Tomatoes
Comments (19)I am reading that the majority of people agrees that pruning will give you taller plant and fruits SOONER. But in the long run, you will suffer because of less fruit production. There most definitely is a middle ground. ;) But first, the assumptions you are making: 1. the majority of people DON'T agree that pruning will give you a taller plant and fruit sooner. Some believe that, many do not. Raybo has a photo posted here in another thread of an 8' tall CP that isn't pruned and bearing fruit. I have also posted pics in the past of 8' Giant Belgiums - never pruned and full of 1 1/2 to 2 lb. fruit. I currently have a 5' Sweet Cluster never pruned with blushing fruit on at the same time that my lightly pruned 4' Stupice (early variety) is ripening its first fruit. I also have 4 Black Cherries topping 5 feet that have never been pruned at all and will likely hit 8' by summer end. If you prune extensively then yes, I would agree that you sacrifice production for 2 reasons. First, you have lost permanently all of the energy resources those pruned branches would have provided to the plant and you are risking, in some climates, fruit loss due to sun scald. Pruners say you make up for that lost production by being able to put more plants in the same space. I can see that logic if all you want to to taste many different varieties. But if your goal is as much tomato production in the space available, the logic escapes me. ;) 2. But if you spend all your money (energy) on growing plants and not prune at all, you may stretch your resources thin and get smaller tomatoes and less tasty ones. I don't agree. First, unless you are applying massive does of nitrogen, your plant growth keeps pace with the fruit production and vice-versa. Second, since size is primarily genetically determined a normal fertilizing and watering program will provide you with what are normal sized fruit for the variety. ie: the Giant Belgiums I mentioned above. As to less taste? Granted, some taste (which is a very subjective value judgment anyway) MAY be lost due to the extra watering required late in the season in hot climates that loss can be prevented with earlier picking. But if the unpruned plant remains mostly healthy, even late in the season the fruit should still contain about the same sugar/acid balance, so the same taste. The "Organic Magic" site and claims made on it have been discussed here numerous times in the past (search "organic magic") and refuted by many in great detail. Some even tried the experiment and posted comparisons. You may wish to review those discussions as well. Then try your own experiment as many of us have in the past - prune one and leave another and take notes. It is the best way to find out what works best for you in your garden environment. Hope this is of some help to you. Dave...See MorePruning Cherry Tomatoes
Comments (5)Sun Gold is indeterminate. I chose a cherry because of its ability to set fruit in hot/humid climates and its earliness. I am also growing beef steaks but those take longer and don't set fruit as well in hot/humid climates....See Morergreen48
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8 years agolast modified: 8 years agodigdirt2
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