How to prune tomatoes to get more fruit

Tomato pruning is generally done in summer. The main growing season is in spring. In summer, the branches and vines begin to grow slowly. Excessive growth of branches and vines affects reproductive growth and fruit quality, so pruning and shaping are necessary. At the same time, it is more appropriate to prune tomatoes when they begin to grow branches. Generally, pruning is required when the side branches grow to 4 to 7 cm.

How to prune tomato branches

1. Single stem pruning method

Currently, the most common method used in tomato production is single-trunk pruning. Single-trunk pruning is to leave only one main trunk for each plant, and then gradually remove all side branches. At the same time, pinching should be done when the main trunk has a certain number of fruit clusters.

2. Double-trunk pruning method

This pruning method is also relatively common. It is based on the single-trunk pruning method. In addition to leaving the main trunk, a side branch is left as the second main trunk to become a fruiting branch. This is double-trunk pruning. Then all other side branches and the regenerated branches on the double trunk are removed.

Tomato pruning precautions

Tomato seedlings with viruses should be pruned individually to avoid the spread of diseases by humans. Even if the side branches are not to be used as fruiting branches, they do not need to be removed prematurely. Usually 1 to 2 leaves should be left to produce nutrients or to assist the growth of the main trunk. Pruning and topping are best done on sunny days. It is not recommended to do it on rainy days or when the dew has not dried.