Tomato Sucker Debate: Should You Prune Your Tomato suckers?

The most controversial garden tip for pruning: whether or not to remove tomato suckers. Some gardeners swear by this practice, while I argue that leaving them on results in more tomatoes.

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[Steve-spqu]

I find it depends if you are going for volume or quality. I think pruning helps the fruit grow larger but you won’t get as many. I also am working in a limited space so I can’t afford to let them run wild

[hotratz]

I'm with you on this, My suckers produce almost 50% of my tomatoes.

[erinrivera]

I’m glad to hear that it’s okay to not prune the suckers. I noticed the same thing—one i Missed were growing more tomatoes.

[BirdieandtheBee]

Thank you! I have 2, almost 3 ft Oregon Spring (I think), I started from seed and almost all of my tomatoes seemed to come from suckers. Your video is the only one I’ve seen that IMO, that is honest. I think people make these pruning vids to just seem cool and knowledgeable. 😂

[MeMadeIt]

I leave Cherries just do their thing.
For other indeterminates, I prune to get larger fruit.

I look at it this way - the root system only produces so much energy for plant and fruit growth. Pruning funnels that energy into producing longer vines and bigger but fewer fruit.

[trainmanhawaii]

I switched to dwarf determinate tomato plants this year in attempt of a easier grown and plant maintenance... Only pruning base leafs that have contact with the soil. Happy gardening everyone ❤

[nunyabiz]

I’ve grown both ways and noticed especially with cherry tomatoes with pruned suckers produced much larger fruits.

[Diseaseisreversible]

Agreed. With smaller varieties of tomatoes I don’t prune much at all. But for my big beefsteaks I like to prune up just a little bit

[Jnchverse]

I'm letting my plants run free this year.

[harmonyfamilylifetk]

I decided to prune mine because I live in a humid environment and want my plants to have plenty of air flow.

[gnrjrnc]

This is my first year planting a vegetable garden. I watched videos that gave instructions on how to grow tomatoes (and cucumbers, etc) which included tips on pruning tomato plants. I regret doing it now because I’m not getting a lot of tomatoes. I will do only a few next year just to see the difference it makes.

[Garden-Oasis]

Agreed. I don’t interfere in its growth unless I want to clone it. That’s the only time I take off suckers

[devanbarger]

There are study's showing that pruning the suckers makes the fruit more consistent and takes stress off the plants. They are easier to pick later in the season and help to prevent disease because there is less foliage for moisture to collect. The fruits are larger and trickle in over the season and are better looking as well. I only prune on indeterminate tomatoes. I leave determinate tomatoes. Plus, I don't think it is controversial. Market growers who sell them, prune them.

[indsrnty]

Yah I agree, I do the exact same thing. I leave the suckers that are showing fruit and remove the others that are not.

[carrollnyamakupe]

You are right in doing that look at all the potential fruit you lose in plucking all the suckers

[carrieireland]

I'm trying both this year. I'll let you know in two years. Over all quality test

[brandonminiman]

If you live in a warm climate, taking off suckers will result in bigger fruit later. But in colder climates, like the zone seven or below, you get more fruit sooner but they’ll be smaller

[littlegreenpatch]

At the beginning of the season (first week) I take them off. After that they pop out so quick and often. I leave them after that.

[daneking]

Best to remove but leave 3-4 productive ones. Funny how the correct answer is a blend of both groups being right

[farmerchick]

I think it's important to know and understand what type of tomato your growing as well. You only prune indeterminate or pole type tomatoes if you want to single stem them. But if you don't you do get more tomatoes.