How to Pinch Back a Tomato Plant
Pinching back, or pruning, a tomato plant involves removing the small branches, called suckers, that develop in the Y between a branch and the main stem. Although optional, there are certain advantages to pruning, including concentrating growth on the fruit instead of foliage and preventing exposure to insects and disease. Pruning is simple and can be completed with minimal effort, resulting in healthier plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wait until tomato plant has reached 1 to 2 feet tall to assure the plant is strong enough to handle pruning.
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Pinch or snap off suckers by hand or with clean, sharp pruning shears when suckers are large enough to pinch back, usually 1 to 2 inches.
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Water plants at the soil level, not above, to keep soil out of the tomato's open wounds.
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Tips & Warnings
Not all types of tomatoes will benefit from pruning. Determinate tomatoes produce fruit all at one time and should not be pruned. Indeterminate tomatoes will benefit from pruning.
Prune tops of plants when it outgrows its support to direct energy to the tomatoes already developing.
