Comments on: Tomato Controversy: Pruning – A Sucker Born Every Minute

By: Roger

Roger — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:21:46 +0000

Driven a bit dingy, no doubt, by trying to keep up with pruning my tomato plants, I tried eating a sucker the other day. It tasted like lettuce and seemed to have no ill effect on me. Would it be unwise to harvest suckers and add them routinely to salads?

I’ve read many discussions about pruning suckers, but none about pruning new tomato flowers. By pruning flowers can you focus a plant’s energies on speeding the growth of the fruit it is already working on?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!

Well, I’ve never eaten the suckers. Tomatoes are nightshade plants and poisonous. Yuck. For pruning flowers, a lot of people do that as fruit is setting. I definitely prune off flowers from the early plants. A lot of times (especially for transplants) they’ve grown flowers too soon – before the plants have a chance to set up in the soil.

By: spotalawinsity

spotalawinsity — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:41:41 +0000

Brilliant!

By: Chuck Bartok

Chuck Bartok — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:00:43 +0000

I am glad to see someone else discuss the pruning Controversy. We raised our family with a 20 acre Truck Farm and tomatoes were a major Income source, so we grow for Yield.

Not everyone agrees with our pruning practice, but that is waht makes Gardening so exciting.

I also posted your link on our Blog

As mentioned on you other Blog,

This year I have recorded our Tomato Venture for the past 13 weeks.
You and you readers may enjoy visiting the Videos and commenting. Appreciate Ratings also.

Growing Tomatoes for Health and Wealth

We also started a blog.
Not as professional but having Fun

http://www.2growtomatoes.info
Comments appreciated

By: rowena

rowena — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:20:39 +0000

I can see where this tomato pruning controversy could possibly replace my enthusiasm for d-i-y clipping of my westie’s coat. I think it’ll be the better for all as an improperly pruned tomato plant is less unbecoming than a dog with a bad haircut! Great article with photos to boot!

By: sjones71

sjones71 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:15:49 +0000

The sucker is always shrouded in mystery! My experience – the wife is usually right!

By: savagegirl

savagegirl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:02:46 +0000

My husband and I had a fight over which stem was the sucker. He said it is the one to the left of the “crotch” at the 90 degree angle. I said the suckling is the one in the middle! I am right but won’t tell him that.

By: Mias

Mias — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:17:48 +0000

never tried growing toms before.. so when i read that i have remove those suckers, I prune ruthlessly.. and discover that it is a never ending job… but the vines sure gets fatter after the pruning. lots of flower but no toms fruit yet.

By: asonomagarden

asonomagarden — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:00:00 +0000

We had the sucker debate this year too. Scott’s done it in the past but didn’t really feel like it was worth the effort. Maybe next year we’ll leave one go free and on another one prune and see who does better.

By: sjones71

sjones71 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:28:34 +0000

This is good advice James! Any time the plant makes a move toward you or your children or if it is eyeing the pets… prune with reckless abandon.

By: James

James — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:19:04 +0000

Great advice on the pruning! I also prune when the tomato is about to eat the house and its occupants…