When should you remove the lower leaves from tomatoes?

Experienced growers already know that it is necessary to remove the leaves from tomatoes in the greenhouse at a certain stage of growth. In greenhouse conditions, a special microclimate is created with increased temperature and humidity. This significantly increases the risk that the plantings will be affected by the fungus. Removing some of the leaves on tomatoes prevents the development of diseases and improves the quality of the crop.

Why trim leaves from tomatoes in a greenhouse?

Tomato bushes need shaping. A well-formed bush grows and develops better, gives more fruit. The volume of the vegetative mass must be regulated, because the leaves take up a considerable share of the nutrients supplied to the plant.

As a result, the formed fruits receive less nutrition, which adversely affects their quality. Vegetables will be small and in smaller quantities. In addition, the thickening of the plantings impairs the ventilation of the bushes, and this leads to excess moisture and can provoke the development of fungal infections. It is clear that not all leaves in a row are subject to removal, but only some of them.

Which leaves should be removed?

Leaves are necessary for a plant for normal life - it is through them that the process of photosynthesis is carried out. If you deprive a tomato bush of all leaf mass, the plant will certainly die.

The aging process is inevitable, and the lowest leaves are the first to age. This is manifested in yellowing, staining, loss of turgor. By this time, they have already fulfilled their function and the plant is no longer needed. Aged lower leaves can not only be removed, but must also be removed. If this is not done, the risk of fungal infections increases many times.

In addition, non-fruiting (fattening) shoots are removed entirely. This will allow the plant to redirect nutrients to the branches where the fruit ripens.

It is also necessary to cut off those branches that begin their growth from the fruit cluster. They will not add to the yield (tomatoes on such shoots are usually small), but will only delay the ripening of previously formed fruits.

The procedure should be carried out in stages:

1. First of all, they cut off the foliage that lies on the ground.
2. After 3-4 days, the bush is re-examined and, if necessary, cut off excess leaves growing below the branches with fruit clusters.
3. Inspect tomatoes and remove unnecessary greens from them twice a week.

It is impossible to remove too much leaf mass at one time, otherwise the plants will experience stress. Part of the leaves on the shady side can be removed to thin out the crown.

Dates of the procedure

As for when to start removing the lower leaves on tomatoes, the opinions of summer residents differ. Some gardeners do this immediately after the beginning of flowering, others postpone the moment before the start of fruit formation. Basically, there is not much difference in the results.

In addition, the characteristics of the variety, the region of cultivation, and the peculiarities of the microclimate in the greenhouse affect the timing of leaf removal.

In any case, the foliage should be removed by the time the vegetables begin to grow in size and change color. The fruits, like the leaves, participate in photosynthesis and are able to independently produce the necessary substances.

With the normal development of a tomato bush, the lower part of its stem should be cleared of leaves to a height of 30 cm.In this case, the plant will receive more light, blown air from all sides, and food will begin to flow directly from the roots to the fruits.

Pruning rules

There are no uniform guidelines for removing leaves on tomatoes. It is imperative to take into account the condition of the bush, the volume of its leaf mass. It is considered normal to remove 3 leaves at a time during the procedure twice a week. If the plant shows signs of a disease, a cardinal pruning is carried out.

You can also break off the leaves manually, but this method is suitable only for experienced growers who are skilled in carrying out such manipulations. You cannot abruptly break off the leaf by tilting it down - in this case, part of the stem will certainly suffer. A large wound will remain through which bacteria can penetrate. You need to pick off the leaves by turning them slightly clockwise.

For beginners, it is best to use sharp scissors. It is necessary to carry out the procedure, adhering to the following recommendations:

• It is advisable to start pruning leaves in warm weather.
• Scissors must be pre-disinfected with alcohol or calcined in a fire.
• After the leaves are cut off, the wounds are treated with hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab.

If you adhere to these rules, the plants will be minimally damaged, the sections will quickly be tightened with a film. You can disinfect wounds not only with peroxide, but also with a solution of potassium permanganate or crushed activated carbon.

Removing stepchildren and tops

In addition to aging lower leaves on tomatoes, other vegetative parts must be removed. For example, stepsons. They are cut every 10-12 days, starting from the moment the tomatoes spend 2 weeks in the greenhouse after planting the seedlings in the garden.

If the plants were planted in closed ground later than laid and stepchildren have already appeared on them, you should postpone the removal of unnecessary shoots until the tomatoes take root in a new place.

Lateral shoots that form in the leaf axils and tend to grow rapidly are called stepchildren. They should not be allowed to grow longer than 5 cm.

You can pinch off the stepsons with your fingers, pinching the tissue of the shoot with your fingernail. A small stump (0.5 cm) should be left in place of the stepson, then another shoot can no longer grow in this place.

It is better to grab tomatoes in the morning, so that the wounds have time to dry before the evening. After processing one plant, it is advisable to wash your hands. Often, the infection on tomatoes initially proceeds in a latent form - you can easily transfer pathogens from one plant to another and provoke a massive incidence.

On the border of July and August, gardeners begin to pinch the tops of the tomatoes. If the bushes continue to grow and begin to form new clusters, the fruits will still not have time to ripen. During this period, 7–8 fruit clusters usually ripen on the bushes. After pinching, the tomatoes are poured and ripen faster, the fruits are larger.

Pruning unnecessary leaves on tomatoes has a beneficial effect on the fruiting and health of the crop, therefore it should be done without fail. The event requires some effort and time, but it justifies itself. Tomatoes, which are properly cared for, give excellent yields and fully reveal the potential of the variety.