So, we recommend choosing a location with as much light as possible to promote fruit formation and reduce side shoots. Tomatoes planted in shady spots or plants fertilised with too much nitrogen tend to produce more side shoots and less flowers. Our domesticated tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum) was cultivated from these diverse wild tomatoes ( Solanum sp.), and still shares many similarities with its wild relatives. Wild tomatoes from South America grow and spread out naturally from all leaf axils, growing low to the ground and forming a densely branched bush over time. How many side shoots to leave on the tomato plant?

With small-fruited cocktail and cherry tomatoes, you have the option of either letting the tomato plant grow bushy or pruning to leave just a few shoots. Highest yields are achieved without trimming. They bear flowers on all side shoots, and so bear fruit again. Which tomatoes should not be pruned?ĭeterminate growing bush tomatoes or wild tomatoes do not require any pruning. Even with medium-sized indeterminate tomatoes, we recommend only leaving a maximum of two to three shoots, including the main shoot. With large-fruited tomato varieties such as ox-heart and beef tomatoes, however, the side shoots should be removed.

Here is our in-depth guide on which tomato plants to pinch out and why. Pruning different tomato plant varietiesĭo tomato plants actually need to be pruned? In short, whether or not to prune a tomato plant depends on the variety, the location and the space available.How to trim tomato plants: tomato pruning guide.How many side shoots to leave on the tomato plant?.Do all tomatoes have to be pinched out?.

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