Should I some pruning

NewbieGrower · May 12, 2017

My 2 tomato plants in EarthTainer very crowded. Getting really hard to fit everything in cage. Should I do so judicious pruning to make space so not so crowded?

Father'sDaughter · May 12, 2017

I would vote yes in order to give them some breathing room. Heat and humidity combined with over crowding is a big invitation for foliage diseases.

Ricky Shaw · May 12, 2017

I'm a yes.

heirloomtomaguy · May 12, 2017

Yeah thats a disease waiting to happen. Prune it!

Ricky Shaw · May 12, 2017

These are 15gal fabric pots, a little larger than an Earthbox. I found 3 to 4 stems a good balance of an efficient use of nutrients, production, and adequate ventilation. Keeping the stem cleared low, allows air to flow up and thru the plant and away.

slugworth · May 13, 2017

prune and clone the suckers and branches you cut off.

gssgarden · May 13, 2017

I prune all branches up to the first fruit

Greg

Worth1 · May 13, 2017

As much as I hate to prune you need to do something.
An option that is too late would be to let them spread out.
Not gonna happen now.
This is the reason why I went with 2 foot diameter cages.
I like to be able to at least see through the plant.

Worth

NewbieGrower · May 13, 2017

I pruned yesterday. Removed all lower branches that had no new growth. Had a number of thick branches growing horizontal that prevented branches from growing up. None of these had any new growth, blossoms or fruit so cut those. I was afraid I was getting too aggressive, removing foliage needed to shade baby tomatoes. But looks a lot better now I think. And can actually see the babies on vine now. I think it can breathe now and use energy growing new leaves on top. What do you think? Before and after.

NewbieGrower · May 13, 2017

Didn't bother cloning any cut off. No place to plant them.

Worth1 · May 13, 2017

They look great to me.

Worth

jillian · May 13, 2017

Excellent pruning! Your effort will be well worth it!

Old School · May 13, 2017

Looking good

oakley · May 13, 2017

Good job. I have no idea about recovery with such heavy pruning as i do a bit here and there during
the growing process....over the first month.
Impressive you just went for it!!

Ahem, no room for clones, ?, ...

I would have that sunny blank yard covered in plants.

(just wait 'till next year)...you will get the tom bug eventually.

NewbieGrower · May 13, 2017

Just bought home last August and doing lots of home projects (painting, etc). Wanted my first garden but no time to prepare raised beds. So opted for 2 EarthTainers this first season.

We pruned my friend's plant significantly because pest damage. Very next day she had new blossoms at top. My plant should recover easily with more nutrients available for new growth. And backyard slopes so would need to terrace for level beds.

May 12, 2017	#4
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	Yeah thats a disease waiting to happen. Prune it! __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

May 13, 2017	#15
NewbieGrower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Ridgeland, MS Posts: 68	Just bought home last August and doing lots of home projects (painting, etc). Wanted my first garden but no time to prepare raised beds. So opted for 2 EarthTainers this first season. We pruned my friend's plant significantly because pest damage. Very next day she had new blossoms at top. My plant should recover easily with more nutrients available for new growth. And backyard slopes so would need to terrace for level beds. Last edited by NewbieGrower; May 13, 2017 at 05:35 PM.

May 12, 2017	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I would vote yes in order to give them some breathing room. Heat and humidity combined with over crowding is a big invitation for foliage diseases.

May 12, 2017	#3
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	I'm a yes.

May 13, 2017	#6
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,152	prune and clone the suckers and branches you cut off.

May 13, 2017	#7
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,827	I prune all branches up to the first fruit Greg

May 13, 2017	#8
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	As much as I hate to prune you need to do something. An option that is too late would be to let them spread out. Not gonna happen now. This is the reason why I went with 2 foot diameter cages. I like to be able to at least see through the plant. Worth

May 13, 2017	#11
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	They look great to me. Worth

May 13, 2017	#12
jillian Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 880	Excellent pruning! Your effort will be well worth it!

May 13, 2017	#13
Old School Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Central PA, Zone 6 Posts: 93	Looking good

May 13, 2017	#14
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	Good job. I have no idea about recovery with such heavy pruning as i do a bit here and there during the growing process....over the first month. Impressive you just went for it!! Ahem, no room for clones, ?, ... I would have that sunny blank yard covered in plants. (just wait 'till next year)...you will get the tom bug eventually.