I started my seedlings a little early this year. This beautiful San Marzano is about 14 inches tall.
I usually have a strategy for suckers, but I have never had to face them this early in the season.
Do I pluck it? Or do I let it grow? What are your opinions and strategies?
by The_lewolf
8 Comments
Im a tad conflicted on my own sucker situation. So far, been leaving suckers on the determinants, and plucking on the others.
I would pluck any before they go outside. It’s still so early on in the growing stage, let them focus on that not the sucker
I pinch only the top of the sucker, a d level the first 2 leaves. It’s the Missouri technique. Gives 2 extra leaves, and some extra roots on the opposite.
Be careful for suckers popping out from these suckers though.
I prune all suckers before the first flower cluster. After that, I let the strongest ones grow but prune any weaklings. Once the plants are established, I just let them grow
I would pluck it now.
When you plant them out, ideally you’d want to remove the bottom leaves and any suckers anyways, so you can bury the stem super deep to get extra roots.
So I wouldn’t want it wasting any energy on developing something I’m just going to remove eventually.
It really depends on your staking method. I usually agree with leaving them on determinate bush varieties. If you’re planning to run them up a big stake or line, I’d recommend removing the suckers. If you’re planning on Florida weave or using a big cage, I usually leave at least the early suckers on.
I often allow one sucker to develop because I grow split leader plants and the lower the sucker the better. All others are removed 100%
It is a myth that picking suckers helps the plant.
People just want to feel like they’re doing something.
Just let the plant do its thing and it will make beautiful tomatoes for you.