When growth really gets going, pole tomatoes stretch mightily towards the sky. A targeted pruning keeps tomato plants under control and conjures up magnificent fruit. Clever hobby gardeners do without a knife. Find out the details here.
Plea for the pruning of tomato plants
Plants should grow in the near-natural kitchen garden, as planned by Mother Nature. This conviction is very much in line with the increased environmental and health awareness. However, this philosophy fails when growing tomato plants, where free growth usually leads to a meager harvest. Constantly branching, tomato plants lack the vigor for plump, juicy fruit. Regular pruning will solve the problem in no time.
This point of view applies in particular to powerful stick tomatoes. An exception are bush tomatoes, which only branch out into viable shoots and stop growing at 100 centimeters. With these tomato varieties, pruning has no meaningful effect, because fewer shoots do not result in larger fruits.
This is how tomato plants stay in shape
Parallel to the start of fertilization from the second week outdoors, the constant pruning of tomato plants begins. Experienced hobby gardeners do not use knives because the use of cutting tools increases the risk of infection from late blight. Instead, plant parts are simply broken out. In technical jargon, this care measure is called ausgeizen. That's how it's done:
- Use your fingers to snap off small stinging shoots between the base of the leaves and the stem
- move them back and forth until they break
- never tear at the side shoots
- additionally break out all leaves below the first infructescence
A pole tomato keeps growing along its trellis without ceasing. The size is regulated at an early stage so that it does not exceed all dimensions and still has the power for large beefsteak tomatoes. Break off all other head shoots above the fifth, sixth or seventh inflorescence.
tips and tricks
Any part of the plant that has been pruned out is excellent as a nutritious mulch material for tomatoes. Simply chop and spread on the floor. Spray nettle manure over it every 2 weeks and naturally satisfy the hunger of the heavy eaters.