Beautiful, gigantic, and perfect tomatoes do not happen randomly. They are grown under controlled conditions to ensure that the best growing conditions are maintained and that the fruit is subject to just enough warmth and light to ensure that it ripens and produces its fruit. Tomatoes are therefore unique and different from other fruits in that they are usually grown indoors or in a greenhouse and they are actually pruned and staked at some point of time.
Pruning Tomatoes
Pruning tomatoes is taken up a little different for different tomato varieties. For example, the Mantis preformed tomato trays are used for growing cherry tomatoes whereas bricks are used for growing medium-sized tomatoes. Pruning techniques are different for the various tomato varieties but it is important to remember that the aim of pruning is to ensure that the plant has enough energy to provide adequate fruits with the next growing season, and that the fruits are formed in a way that is conducive to micro-climate control.
Arily, the Mantis trays that are used for raising cherry tomatoes are:
There are various ways to begin pruning your tomatoes. In November, protect the plant from any cold weather using a mulch of hay or bread. Also, prune the leaves to allow the sun to warm up the soil and encourage pollination.
Pruning tomatoes is also an important part of your tomato growing strategy. It removes any shoots that appear on the plant in an effort to prevent ill-will directed towards the fruit. This also promotes the growth of the tender, secondary stems called “looking pounds”. The aim of pruning is to keep the plant from using its energy in the fruit process and to divert it to the side branches, allowing the plant to stay mobile and allow it to produce more fruit.
There are five main styles of tomato pruning:
The first style of pruning is what is called “drifts”. This is where the plant is pruned and left with fewer stems and a few baby branches. These are trained to grow and form the shape of a ball on the branch. To prevent the plant from flopping over, you need to tie the plant to a stake. Pruning these varieties is called deadheading.
The second style of pruning is called “good fences”. It is where you use a mesh of twine to prevent the plant from going over a line. Good fences are great for preventing fruit touching the soil. It prevents unwanted shoots from forming and it helps to shape the plant and prevent diseases.
The third style of pruning is called “holed”. It involves removing all the leaves below the first flower cluster because the plant no longer has any strength and is no longer sending its energy to the leaves. Different varieties of tomatoes flower at different times. If you do not want this, you may just remove all the flowers and leave the leaves alone. Tomato plants will grow again, perhaps another season, or maybe you can get someone to “deadhead” their tomato plants for you.
The forth and last style of pruning is called “pavers”. It is when you remove all the leaves except for the ones you want to keep. Before the plant grows too big, or starts to bear fruit, you need to trim it back and keep it from being too bushy.
There is a lot of information out there about pruning but this is the pruning guidelines that have been shared by many others. Please keep it safe at your site. I don’t encourage pruning unless you absolutely must do it. I encourage you to share your pruning success with others.
Most of best regards,
Ron
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