Let's see how and when to pick leaves from tomatoes, what is it for. Do I need to pick leaves from tomatoes in open ground or in a greenhouse? Is it possible to pick leaves from a tomato during flowering? What leaves should be picked off at tomatoes? These questions seriously concern many gardeners, and it is sometimes very difficult to find a definite answer.
Tomato bushes with removed lower foliage, photo:
At the relevant garden forums you can read a lot of arguments about what to pick off from tomatoes so that there is a good crop. However, most summer residents are inclined to believe that this “operation” has a beneficial effect on the growth of tomato bushes and the quality of fruits. Moreover, this procedure is recommended for greenhouse representatives, and for growing on the beds in the summer cottage.
Do I need to pick leaves from tomatoes - the main reasons are for:
- Evaporation of large amounts of moisture, especially large lower leaves. In addition, they draw vitality and nutrients from the plant, which can be directed to the formation of fruits.
- Too much thickening of the bush prevents the normal air exchange between the planted bushes. Because of this, humidity rises, after which, as a result, a favorable environment is created for the development of various diseases.
- After watering, moist leaves come into contact with the soil - these are ideal conditions for activating putrefactive processes and the growth of bacteria. By the way, one of the most dangerous diseases of tomatoes - late blight, begins with the defeat of the lower leaves, which are in contact with the ground.
In addition to removing leaves, it is recommended to water the tomatoes purposefully under the root. If you also cover the soil with a thick layer of straw, then this will be only a plus.
Removing the bottom sheets, photo:
Do tomatoes pick off and which ones?
If we consider the situation objectively, then a tomato leaf is the same part of the plant as the stem or root system. It performs its important function, from this point of view the removal looks somewhat blasphemous. However, our goal is to help the tomato bush grow stronger and the fruits to grow larger, so the issue of picking foliage should be approached rationally. You need to remove the "extra" fragments. Thus, yellowed or old leaves with dark dots and spots will not bring benefits to the plant, rather, they will only do harm, become a hotbed of various infections.
Do tomatoes ripen in the north? The answer will be yes - yes, break off to ensure access of sunlight to other parts of the plant and fruits. Thickening bush leaves (located in the depths) are also subject to removal - they worsen ventilation, especially this applies to greenhouse plants. The shoot and leaves that grow from the fruit brush are also recommended to be cut off, even if another ovary has formed on this shoot. There is little sense from such a “yield”, the tomatoes will be small, so it is better to remove the extra shoots so that the main brush spends vitality only on itself. An exception is the case when the main hand is infertile, then a couple of additional fruits can ripen from the growing one.
The lower large leaves have already been mentioned - it is really better to remove them. The top of the bush should also be nipped off, but after about 8 fruit brushes appear, it is better to leave it alone. In time, these are usually the last days of July-the first weeks of August. As for stepchildren, they must be removed necessarily. The so-called stepchildren grow out of the sinus and tend to grow rapidly. Until the shoot reaches 5 cm, it is recommended to pinch it off as quickly as possible. Then the bush will transfer this procedure relatively painlessly, and the fracture site will quickly heal. In general, stepsons should be removed, starting from the 10th day after transplanting seedlings into beds, every 10-12 days.
Stepson, photo:
Thus, the answer to the question - whether it is necessary to pick leaves from tomatoes, will be unambiguously positive if it concerns stepchildren. Experienced summer residents also recommend removing leaves under each formed brush. This technique is aimed at improving air exchange and illumination among tomato rows. If you do not go into details, then the general rules for thinning tomatoes look like this: twice a week it is recommended to remove 2 or 3 bottom sheets. However, if the plant feels well and the situation requires it, then you can remove 5-6 immediately, nothing bad will happen to the bush. Remember a simple but important rule - until the fruits are tied in the brush, the leaves on top must be present. If the fruit brush is already covered with berries, then the foliage growing below it can be removed.
How to pick leaves from tomatoes?
It is better to carry out this procedure in the mornings, between 8 and 12 o’clock in the afternoon, then the break points will be drawn out faster and the stress for the plant will be minimal. On a cloudy day, in the afternoon or in the evening, it is better not to do this. To prevent sap flow, it is recommended to leave at least two leaves above the top fruit brush. The removal process itself is simple, since all fragments of the tomato bush are easily broken off. If the petiole is broken, try to move your hand up! If you pull the leaf down, then most likely, remove a strip of skin from the stem and injure the plant. Do not pick leaves from tomatoes immediately after watering or rain - the risk of catching an infection increases.
A stump in the place of the stepson, photo:
In principle, for the implementation of this process, you can arm yourself with scissors and garden gloves - it will be more convenient for you. And one more thing - when removing the stepson, leave a small (about 0.5 cm) stump! At this place, the new stepson will no longer grow.
That's all the simple rules and recommendations on how and when to pick leaves from tomatoes. The process seems to be simple, but very important, necessary if you want to grow a generous and healthy crop of tomatoes in your area.