Tomato plants? I have some plants that are coming up nicely.?

Question

I have too many plants and they are too close together (poor planning). I have heard about pulling off the suckers and/or pulling some of the tomatoes off so the ones that are left will be bigger and healthier. Any truth? Exactly what is the sucker? Any other hints? I have used Sevin, Miracle Gro Tomato Food, and limestone so far.

Answer 1

The following planting methods will result in stronger tomato plants, which should bear more fruit. One way to plant a tomato transplant is to dig a shallow planting hole and drop the plant into it. If you look closely at a tomato stem, however, you'll see hundreds of little white hairs, each one of which is a potential root. More roots mean a more vigorous plant, so why not take advantage of the tomato's unique ability? One way to do so is to plant the tomato in a trench on its side. Very shortly the plant will begin to grow straight up, and hundreds of small roots will begin to grow straight out into the surrounding soil. Another way to accomplish the same thing is to bury the plant. With scissors, remove all but the top set or two of leaves from the transplant, then dig a deep hole, and bury the plant up to those leaves.

Answer 2

Tomato suckers are not the same as, say, a rose sucker that comes up from the root.
A tomato sucker is the branch growing out of an elbow (or Y shaped fork) of another branch. Picture your elbow slightly bent or this Y, now picture a branch growing out of the bent part of your elbow or the V part of the Y. I hope I haven't lost you. That is the sucker. It is true that your plant will produce better and have better aeration around the plant if you remove these suckers. You will have to keep up with this chore all during the growing season because these suckers reproduce rapidly. However, it is not necessary to remove the suckers to have a good yield. My only other hint is to water your plant every other day until it sets fruit, however, once it sets fruit cut back on the watering to only once a week or your fruit will crack.

Answer 3

Here's some links to some info that can help!

How to manage your plants for better health and better fruit
*very good article
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00031.asp

To pinch or not to pinch, that is the question. Suckers are sprouts that don't produce fruit. Some gardeners pinch them off to direct more energy to the fruit. Others leave them to help shade the fruit and protect it from sun scald. Being from the lazy school of gardeners, I prefer the latter method.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_vegetables/article/0,1785,HGTV_3650_2051617,00.html

Planting distances
Tomato planting distance depends on the type of tomato grown. Generally speaking, 24 to 36 inches between plants is the ideal spacing for most home garden tomatoes. Planting closer than 24 inches reduces air circulation around the plants and can trigger disease outbreaks. Large vine tomatoes should be spaced 36 inches apart. Rows should be 4 to 5 feet apart.

http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06461.htm

Good luck!

Answer 4

just thin them out its no big deal. and the suckers are the stems growing from the root of your plant. they can be left alone but for big strong plants you should take them off. when your plants get really big you can cut them in half. I know it sounds weird but too much folage will make less fruit. you can look up how to grow tomatoe plants and its cool and very easy. roses are too. infact they are a lot alike. believe it or not.lol. good luck and have lots of fun

Answer 5

The suckers are the stems and leaves that have started growing at the bottom of the plant. to remove, just take your fingers and place one on each side of the little sucker and pinch. It works! I grow my tomatoes upside down in buckets-
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html so this is not difficult at all. Happy gardening!!!

Answer 6

sukering a tomato plant