remove suckers on smaller plants or just for big tomatoes?
Seth
6 years ago
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Sucker for suckers (Tomatoes)
Comments (7)The big thing here is the indeterminate (think continually growing upwards) versus determinate (grows up but then just bushes out) on the tomato variety. If you do this to a determinate tomato variety you will absolutely destroy your yield as they have a much more defined period of producing fruit compared to the indeterminate varieties. I prune indeterminate tomato plants and the flavor of the fruit compared to unpruned in the same garden, sunlight, watering and soil was actually rather remarkable. Once the plant gets to a certain size, it starts diverting some energy (specifically sugars) into flowers (eventually fruit) and more stems. If you prune off the suckers on an indeterminate plant, you leave more of that sugar production towards producing more flowers and therefore more and more flavorful fruit. If you leave the suckers on there, additional energy is needed to continue that growth and even more suckers on those branches. You will loose the potential to have more flowers, but eventually these get so full that they block out sunlight and really inhibit photosynthesis. Perhaps try just doing both one season and see which results you like. I live in Central Fl and have not had an issue with the sun scorching my plants or fruit, but perhaps that is a concern to be worried about for you in your specific garden. You will absolutely need to stake them however, they will grow VERY tall with the proper soil and watering! GOOD LUCK!!!!...See MorePlant those suckers! (tomatoes, that is)
Comments (3)I have planted some suckers in the potting mix 4 weeks ago with good success. They rooted very well and started blooming. But problem I noticed them them is susceptible to spider mites. I heard that spider mites attacks older and weaker plants first, if that is the case, yes physiologically they are older and weaker than plants originated from seed in the spring. I am going to starting few more suckers i potting media next week give second trial. -Chandra...See MoreTomato Plants from Suckers
Comments (8)I've never done it so can't give any concrete advice. Sure Dawn and others have and will be along with better advice. I will tell you my experience from moving volunteers and transplanting in the heat. I've had good results doing it. And have lots of experience doing it. I moved 2 volunteer plants during the heat and both are looking good. Both small and by themselves. So moved a huge shovel full of dirt and then mulched heavy, shaded them and watered well for several days. The best way I've found is like I did a bunch of 5 plants I had. I dug them up. Potted each plant in an 18 ounce cup with potting soil and kept in a cool spot in the shade for several days. Then gradually moved them back into the sun for longer periods of time each day after around 4 days. Today is 2 weeks and with the cool spell will transplant them to the garden. Would of Thursday evening but with the cool spell coming decided to wait. In my opinion you would need to start them either in doors( probably best) or in a real cool spot out of the sun for a while. Transplanting in the heat has risks. And I feel rooting suckers or stems and starting them would even be harder in the heat. So would be best done inside in cooler conditions. Will be interested to read the opinions of those who have done it and have more knowledge of it. Jay...See MorePruning Suckers on Indeterminate Tomato Plants
Comments (4)Removing Suckers, properly known as lateral branches, does work well in a greenhuse situation b'c of limited space. I have a commercial place near me where all tomatoes are grown in greenhouses hydroponically and they do the same. As for pruning plants outside that depends on whether someone is staking or trellising or growing them on hogwire, or in cages or just letting them sprawl. I grew mine by sprawling and some in cages and sometimes the same variety was grown both ways and never once did I take off lateral branches. The word sucker came about b'c ages ago some felt that leaving them on sucked energy from the plant. But that's not true at all, but the word sucker is still used. Lateral branches are very productive as to fruits, and takingoff those lateral branches just lessens the yield of plants. Carolyn...See Moretheforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
6 years agoSeth thanked theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)Seth
6 years agogorbelly
6 years agogorbelly
6 years agodigdirt2
6 years agoSeth
6 years agoSeth
6 years ago
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