How to Prune Upside Down Tomatoes

A new trend in growing tomatoes is to grow them upside down. This has several advantages for both you and the tomato plant. You will not need to stake your plant, and less exposure to garden soil will lessen the risk of your tomato plant becoming diseased. To ensure that your upside down tomato vine produces the highest quality fruit you will need to prune it on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Cut the main stem of the tomato vine to a desirable length. You do not want the main stem to touch the ground. It is best to prune it back to at least 2 feet above the ground.

2. Prune all branches that are close together.

3. Prune suckers once a week. Suckers are little shoots that either grow off the main stem or between 2 dominant stems. Prune the suckers by grasping the main stems and bending the sucker back and forth until it snaps off.

4. Prune excess leaves to keep the plant at a manageable size. You want the plant to concentrate on producing quality fruits, not producing quality leaves.

5. Prune any discolored stems or leaves. You want to ensure that the plants concentrate on growing stems and vines that will produce quality fruit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not prune your upside down tomato vine, the fruit may cause the plant to fall out of the container.

• Do not let your tomato vine grow so long that it hits the floor.