Do tomatoes need pruning? When is the best time to prune?

There are many ways to grow tomatoes, among which pruning is essential, because tomatoes like heat, have relatively developed branches, and have many twigs, basically one branch can grow in one leaf axil.

If you don't cut off these small branches, you won't be able to make all of these branches bear fruit. It is enough for the tomato fruits to hang in four or six layers. Cutting off the excess can store nutrients and increase yield.

Tomato pruning time

Tomatoes can be pruned three times a year, generally in summer. They mainly grow in spring. In summer, the branches and vines affect reproductive growth, so they need to be pruned to shape and balance nutrition.

Pinch off the seeds during the seedling stage, and appropriate pruning is also needed during the vigorous growth period and the flowering and fruiting period to help the tomato plants save nutrients and grow more vigorously.

How to prune tomatoes

When pruning tomatoes, usually one or two main branches are left, and all side branches are cut off. Normal side branches usually start to grow when there are five to six leaves, and a side branch will grow in each leaf axil.

After cutting off the side branches, small leaf buds will grow in the axils of the main branches, which will grow into side branches in about ten days. These side branches should be cut off as early as possible, otherwise they will grow into side branches again and occupy the nutrients of the plant. In particular, the branches at the flower buds should also be cut off. If they are not trimmed for a long time, the flowers and fruits will fall off, resulting in the failure of the fruits to grow and affecting the yield.