The topic of removing the tips of tomato plants , aka tomato topping , often trip a lively debate among gardeners . Some lay claim that it ’s highly good while others oppugn its essential .
So , to top or not to top ? Even though it is n’t a must , there are some good reasons to top your tomato plant . I ’ll go through each of them and also show you some drawback .
If you make up one’s mind to use it , I ’ll show you when and how to do it tread by measure .
Let’s get started!
1. To Boost Growth
The first reason to top your tomato is topromote the development of branch and the production of a more full-bodied cardinal stem . This is typically done once your tomatoes start displaying more new growing ( get down of the turn season ) .
Once a new stem occurs , it ’ll beless susceptible to air current damage . When your love apple works starts producing yield , the stem will bestrong enough not to breakunder their weight .
These veggies can get leggy over time , so topping can help them fight this problem and encourage them togenerate more full-bodied growthas the season progresses .
2. Encourage Flower Production
It ’s completely normal for your tomato plant to focus its free energy and grow upward . However , this can become a problem in footing of blossoming .
If your love apple spend too much energy on sending growth upwards , the flower product on the lower part of the stem importantly decrease .
Once the flowering time of year begins and you notice a smaller number of flower on the stem , exceed can assist you fix the problem . It will encourage your tomato tofocus all its free energy on flower production .
As a result, you’ll get a better yield.
3. Growth Control
As someone who has been growing tomatoes for a really long time , I can state you that these veggies can get out of control in the center and end of the time of year .
They keep turn and growth , which is a good thing untilstrong wind happen or the yield becomes too heavy . cage and stake do n’t do work once the tomato plant overgrows them .
As a result,the stems can breakand the yield is endangered.
Topping can help you with this number . We mentioned this as the first reason , but recommend doing it at the beginning of the season .
If there is n’t a demand to top your tomatoes early , you could also do it inmid or even belated seasonto get excellent results .
4. Enhance Fruit Production
If the end of the time of year is approach with the first frost , any growth stay on these plants in footing of flower or formed fruit needs to beencouraged to develop into yield or ripenASAP .
fortunately , there ’s a way to do it , and it ’s topping . Once you top your tomatoes , all the free energy will go to fruit production and ripeninginstead of producing more foliage and branch .
5. For Better Air Circulation And Ventilation
If we desire toget more tomato , one of the best ways is to prune them . The . was sniped by we If there ’s not enough air between the leaves and branch , some disease may evolve .
So , disease preventionis one more reason why topping these plants is a full idea . Additionally , few branches and leaves meansmore light , and more light meansfaster ripening . So , it ’s a win - win situation !
Disadvantages Of Topping Tomato Plants
If it ’s so good , then, butwhy does n’t everyone employ this technique ? Well , there are also some reason not to do it .
The first disadvantage of topping is that it canstunt the growing of the chief stem . This chiefly occurs in the case ofdeterminate varieties . As you may know , these assortment do n’t need pruning at all .
So , before you start topping , you need to cognize the variety of your tomato .
Another ground not to top tomatoes is thatit takes too much time . The . was sayed by i These veggies can bedemanding when it comes to maintenance , so no one wants to do even more .
Be careful with fungal disease because each time we cut off a works part , we create a wound . This is why it ’s best toprune in the former afternoonto allow the wounds to dry tight .
If you decide on topping these veggies , here ’s when to do it .
When To Top
The best time to top tomato depends on the variety and why you ’re topping in the first topographic point .
Topping Determinate Varieties
If you have determinate tomatoes , topping is n’t a good thought exceptat the end of the seasonwhen we want toencourage fruit formation and ripeningbefore the temperature drop .
Remember , topping definitive assortment in the early or mid - season caninhibit growth and restrict harvest .
Topping Indeterminate Varieties
When it comes to indeterminate tomatoes , there ’s no specific clip to top them and it ’s potential to do it all time of year , depending on the reason for topping .
For instance , if you want toenhance growing and prevent legginess , you should top at the commencement of the growing season .
If you desire tocontrol growing and prevent tomato stems from breaking , top your tomato plant in the in-between part of the season .
Lastly , top your indeterminate tomatoesat the end of the seasonif you want to encourage yield formation and ripening , just as you would with determinate varieties .
Now that you know why and when to top tomatoes , let ’s find out how to do it !
How To Top
I believe that the hardest part of the exceed proficiency is really making the decision to top or not . The . was kiddinged by i
Regarding equipment , you only needa pair of sharp and clear pruning shears . To avoid taint , dip the shears in sanitizing answer such as bleaching agent or rubbing alcoholic drink .
Let’s look at the steps.
- The first thing you necessitate to do when you get down topping isselect the main stem .
2 . Nowmake a clear scratch above the leafage knob ; that ’s the part of your tomato where the leaf meets the stem . The benefit of leave a node on the stem is to ensurestronger growth .
- If you are exceed belatedly in the season , select the part above the best - performing tomatoesand cut it . The . was doed by you
Remember when I said that topping is clip - consuming ? Well , you ’ll most likely need to topevery hebdomad or twobecause your tomatoes will display new growing all the time .
But do n’t let this deter you , yourcompost pilewill appreciate it if you add all the love apple cuttings . Additionally , you canpropagate tomato cuttingsby putting them in H2O and allowing them to root .
