A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum The Tomato Forum Removing leaves from tomatoe plants?

Is it true that you should remove all but 3 leaves on the plant in order to encourage a more abundance of produce?When is this done.Ours are in the greenhouse and starting to flower and we will soon put these in the garden.

The only reason I remove leaves is because they yellow or brown. Usually from water splashing on them when I water. I've never heard of removing them to increase production. But I haven't been gardening very long either.

My great Aunt always removed Tom leaves---She referred to them as the "suckers" If I remember correctly she removed the "limbs" that grew out of the middle of say a 45* angle.

I have done it, but I am not totally sure of myself

I remove about 30-35% of the leaves that don't produce, to encourage growth.. it works for me, as well..

**Also gives more walking room in the garden :Lol: **

I"m no expert, but last year was my first year gardening. I did QUITE A BIT of reading on these forums. I was told/read that the leaves provide sun protection for the maters, which in fact they do. . . . i didnt remove any leaves at all except those that were yellow/browned. I DID in fact remove ALL sappers, as i was told they take away energy of the plant from producing fruit. So I've removed them all whenever they start growing.

I've been following this post carefully. And I have a question. Which ones are the "sappers"? I only remove a leaf if it is yellowed or brown. Usually those nearest the ground where water and soil may splash on them.

Sappers are the extremely fast growing branches (actually a 2nd plant entirely imo) that grow RIGHT AT THE Y of a branch & the mother stalk. It grows at a angle, right outa the armpit of the leaf branch. It grows EXTREMELY fast, and from what i'm told, "SAPS" alot of the plants energy into making this sapper grow. I pinch em right off, cuz they require extra support methods, other than the main stalk. Some let the plant go buck wild, and let it fruit/grow like crazy. But i've heard they wind up with smaller fruits. Its all matter of preference i guess, just doing what i was taught :)

Thankyou for the information. I've seen those branches. I'll snap them off. I'm looking for good quality and quantity of fruit this year. It's the first time my plants have looked really healthy and I'm excited.

Thanx guys-you have been extremely helpful-will let you know what the production turns out to be.

Quality of fruit = pinch them sappers. I check mine daily just for the sapper branches. . and get them before they get big. Last year i had some toms that were 4"+!!!! Quite big. . . but I overwatered mine & they were splitting on most of them. Quite good tomatoes though :)

GL to you & let us know ur progress!!

Thankyou I will.

Yah tammy, Make sure NOT to overwater. I was watering mine every day cuz it was like 85+ every day last summer. This summer i'm going to be going every 2 days if not 3 (currently every three days now and its only upper 70's - mid 80's. I also think i'll be doing the "Water when wilted" that i've read about. Apparently this REALLY toughens up the tomato plants. . . but sounds kinda funky. I know my roses have already wilted once and theyre doing fine with a good watering.

This is a great topic! Glad I saw it, haven't been on the forum much lately, been too busy, I'm sure you all know how it can be at this time of year.

Danno this is my first year with big tomatoes and I will follow your advice on the sappers. I had cherry tomatoes last year and I just let them grow, but this year I'll be more careful, I'd love to see big fruit. I'm doing my tomatoes in the greenhouse again this year, hopefully I'll have great results like last year.