So, I am planning on pruning my tomato to a single stem, and then wrapping it around a stake. This is what it looks like so far.
file:///E:/DCIM/100CANON/IMG_8908.JPG
So, should I prune it at all now?
Sorry but we can't see the picture. You may want look at this: https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/vi ... =23&t=3724
Imo, it depends. If you are doing it to control the shape/structure of the plant and make the plant(s) easier to manage, then sure do it. You may also see an increase in fruit size, earlier first harvest, slight increase in sugars.
But pruning can reduce total yield. If you want good yield, I say don't do it. Pruning some of the bottom "suckers" should be fine.
There was a study on green house tomatoes, where two leader/stem plants yielded more than single leader/stem plants. Pruning to a single or two steam is usually done by commercial greenhouse farmers. It makes harvesting easier and increase fruit size (means more marketable yield, may not matter much to homegrowers). Still, it can reduce yield per plant. Commercial growers solve that but packing in more plants per sq.ft. and pumping in more nutrients (usually using hydroponics).
Pruning to a single leader also seems to increase fruit disorders, blossom end rot and cracking.
Sources: https://horttech.ashspublications.org/co ... 4.abstract
https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/con ... ethod-1978
*They(OSU) got more late blight on the unstaked plants 'cause they just let the plants grow on the ground. That could probably be reduce by mulching and/or caging/trellis.
Imo, it depends. If you are doing it to control the shape/structure of the plant and make the plant(s) easier to manage, then sure do it. You may also see an increase in fruit size, earlier first harvest, slight increase in sugars.
But pruning can reduce total yield. If you want good yield, I say don't do it. Pruning some of the bottom "suckers" should be fine.
There was a study on green house tomatoes, where two leader/stem plants yielded more than single leader/stem plants. Pruning to a single or two steam is usually done by commercial greenhouse farmers. It makes harvesting easier and increase fruit size (means more marketable yield, may not matter much to homegrowers). Still, it can reduce yield per plant. Commercial growers solve that but packing in more plants per sq.ft. and pumping in more nutrients (usually using hydroponics).
Pruning to a single leader also seems to increase fruit disorders, blossom end rot and cracking.
Sources: https://horttech.ashspublications.org/co ... 4.abstract
https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/con ... ethod-1978
*They(OSU) got more late blight on the unstaked plants 'cause they just let the plants grow on the ground. That could probably be reduce by mulching and/or caging/trellis.
-
dracula13
- Full Member
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:41 pm
- Location: South Florida (Zone 10b)
Sorry about that.
and ion, maybe I won't prune it to one stem...I'll leave it at 2 stems.
But still, should I prune anything now???
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905
and ion, maybe I won't prune it to one stem...I'll leave it at 2 stems.
But still, should I prune anything now???
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905
No, imo, you shouldn't prune now. Right now it's just the main growth tip/shoot and leaves that the plant needs to quickly grow. You may want to wait a few more weeks.
You'd want to look for these: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uplo ... cture1.jpg
The new shoot growing between where the main stem and leaf meet.
I didn't really mention what the last link was about, but if you look in the Oregon State link, they showed that the unpruned indeterminate plants yielded more and had less fruit disorders. And if it's a determinate type, pruning is usually not advised (if you must only upto 1-2 of the bottom suckers).
You'd want to look for these: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uplo ... cture1.jpg
The new shoot growing between where the main stem and leaf meet.
I didn't really mention what the last link was about, but if you look in the Oregon State link, they showed that the unpruned indeterminate plants yielded more and had less fruit disorders. And if it's a determinate type, pruning is usually not advised (if you must only upto 1-2 of the bottom suckers).
-
Juliuskitty
- Green Thumb
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 6:13 pm
- Location: South Florida
When I try to get the picture, google puts up an error saying it can't open the page. Sure wish I could see your plant.dracula13 wrote:Sorry about that.
and ion, maybe I won't prune it to one stem...I'll leave it at 2 stems.
But still, should I prune anything now???
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905
I will say most people trellis or stake their plants so they are supported and don't touch the ground. That way they are away from insects and pathogens that are in the soil.( Not that that will stop other insects and pathogens
! )This plant is waaay too small to be pruning. If you feel you must prune you need to wait until it is maybe five times bigger than this little seedling. Are you trying to make your tomato plant into a decorative climbing vine? Jet Star will only get at most four to five feet tall anyway. It was developed to be a bush style plant, easy for commercial mechanical pickers to harvest. If you want a taller climbing tomato vine there are lots of varieties particularly the open pollenated/heirloom varieties that would be better suited.
My question is why do you want to prune? For looks? For larger fruit? (Jet Star is limited in its genetic make-up for size). For some other reason? In the two camps of whether to prune, I am firmly in the camp of never prune except to keep the bottom leaves from dragging on the ground for plant health reasons. Caging or staking will solve the drooping situation.
My question is why do you want to prune? For looks? For larger fruit? (Jet Star is limited in its genetic make-up for size). For some other reason? In the two camps of whether to prune, I am firmly in the camp of never prune except to keep the bottom leaves from dragging on the ground for plant health reasons. Caging or staking will solve the drooping situation.
-
dracula13
- Full Member
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:41 pm
- Location: South Florida (Zone 10b)
Here's what it looks like now The branch on the left is about an inch off the ground.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1010 ... 8111162905
-
gixxerific
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5889
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
- Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B
Yes first off it's way to small to be pruning on let it establish itself a bit more.
Secondly I am still not sure of your motive for this. Jet Star is a hybrid that was mainly bred to be a heavy producer of med sized fruit (8 oz. or so). It is and indet but still a shorter plant at about 4-5 ft. you may be hindering production by removing growing points.
Good luck
Secondly I am still not sure of your motive for this. Jet Star is a hybrid that was mainly bred to be a heavy producer of med sized fruit (8 oz. or so). It is and indet but still a shorter plant at about 4-5 ft. you may be hindering production by removing growing points.
Good luck