Do You Prune Cherry Tomatoes?

lapk78 · May 17, 2017

I apologize if this has already been addressed in a different post, but...

I am growing cherries in EarthTainers (two per Tainer) and was wondering people's opinions on whether pruning/suckering would make sense. I don't want the cages to become clogged with foliage, but it's not quite to that point yet. If they were regular-sized toms, I would most definitely prune, but since they're indeterminate cherries, and I'm not concerned with the size of the toms, I'm hesitant to prune. I guess I'm wanting quantity over quality(size). Thoughts? Thanks.

Ricky Shaw · May 17, 2017

No basically. I didn't in-ground and they're my exception in containers. I prune low and like 14" to 20" of bare stem before the first cluster or split. Also will remove some suckers to help air flow if needed, otherwise I just keep tucking leaves back into the cage.

Fred Hempel · May 17, 2017

This is what we do

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

No basically. I didn't in-ground and they're my exception in containers. I prune low and like 14" to 20" of bare stem before the first cluster or split. Also will remove some suckers to help air flow if needed, otherwise I just keep tucking leaves back into the cage.

ContainerTed · May 17, 2017

Prunes can give you the runs.

So, when it comes to cherry tomatoes, NO !!!

In truth, I don't prune at all.

StrongPlant · May 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapk78

I apologize if this has already been addressed in a different post, but...

I am growing cherries in EarthTainers (two per Tainer) and was wondering people's opinions on whether pruning/suckering would make sense. I don't want the cages to become clogged with foliage, but it's not quite to that point yet. If they were regular-sized toms, I would most definitely prune, but since they're indeterminate cherries, and I'm not concerned with the size of the toms, I'm hesitant to prune. I guess I'm wanting quantity over quality(size). Thoughts? Thanks.

I'd prune them to 4 stems,the plants will be healthier,more managable and get adequate light.This setup is high-maintenance though,so if you don't have time just let 'em grow wild.

loulac · May 18, 2017

Pruning cherries or not pruning ? It depends on the space I allow to the plant. if it's small I prune hard to avoid a compact bush, to let light come through the mass and to be able to pick up all the tomatoes. If I have plenty or room each plant gets 2, sometimes 3 posts and can grow freely.

zipcode · May 18, 2017

It depends mostly on the variety, it's not as easy as with bigger varieties.
Mostly number of flower per truss. Many old ones are limited to around 8-10 per truss. Obviously, pruning those would be a huge mistake. Examples: Galina, Matt's wild cherry, etc, etc. Pruning them will make them maybe marginally bigger, but total yield would still be way low.
And then you have the ones which can make more or much more. Let's take for example Riesentraube or any other multiflora of that type: can be pruned to one stem no problem, will still make a good crop.
And then there are others which will make a certain amount of flowers, and usually the number will be enhanced by pruning, these do well with 1-2-3 stems at most. For example: Black Cherry (I know that people will say it's not a multiflora, but it is, if you prune it), and pretty much any modern cherry/grape hybrid. Sungold is not quite modern enough, it rarely makes split branches even if pruned (doesn't normally go beyond 20 per truss), but things like Suncherry, Tomatoberry, Esterina, Swetelle, and pretty much everyone else, will make 50-100 per truss easily if pruned.
Not sure about the Artisan cherry/grapes, as I haven't tried any before this year, I assume they have some new genes from the modern hybrids in them, so might very well be in this last category also.

Father'sDaughter · May 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulac

Pruning cherries or not pruning ? It depends on the space I allow to the plant. if it's small I prune hard to avoid a compact bush, to let light come through the mass and to be able to pick up all the tomatoes. If I have plenty or room each plant gets 2, sometimes 3 posts and can grow freely.

Pretty much what I do. I only grow one cherry plant, so I'll put it at the start of the row to give it a bit more expansion room. In good years, it was always the first plant taken down when gravity won the battle.

May 17, 2017	#1
lapk78 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Zone 8B Posts: 118	Do You Prune Cherry Tomatoes? I apologize if this has already been addressed in a different post, but... I am growing cherries in EarthTainers (two per Tainer) and was wondering people's opinions on whether pruning/suckering would make sense. I don't want the cages to become clogged with foliage, but it's not quite to that point yet. If they were regular-sized toms, I would most definitely prune, but since they're indeterminate cherries, and I'm not concerned with the size of the toms, I'm hesitant to prune. I guess I'm wanting quantity over quality(size). Thoughts? Thanks.

May 17, 2017	#4
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Prunes can give you the runs. So, when it comes to cherry tomatoes, NO !!! In truth, I don't prune at all. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

May 17, 2017	#2
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	No basically. I didn't in-ground and they're my exception in containers. I prune low and like 14" to 20" of bare stem before the first cluster or split. Also will remove some suckers to help air flow if needed, otherwise I just keep tucking leaves back into the cage.

May 18, 2017	#6
loulac Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: France Posts: 554	Pruning cherries or not pruning ? It depends on the space I allow to the plant. if it's small I prune hard to avoid a compact bush, to let light come through the mass and to be able to pick up all the tomatoes. If I have plenty or room each plant gets 2, sometimes 3 posts and can grow freely.

May 18, 2017	#7
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	It depends mostly on the variety, it's not as easy as with bigger varieties. Mostly number of flower per truss. Many old ones are limited to around 8-10 per truss. Obviously, pruning those would be a huge mistake. Examples: Galina, Matt's wild cherry, etc, etc. Pruning them will make them maybe marginally bigger, but total yield would still be way low. And then you have the ones which can make more or much more. Let's take for example Riesentraube or any other multiflora of that type: can be pruned to one stem no problem, will still make a good crop. And then there are others which will make a certain amount of flowers, and usually the number will be enhanced by pruning, these do well with 1-2-3 stems at most. For example: Black Cherry (I know that people will say it's not a multiflora, but it is, if you prune it), and pretty much any modern cherry/grape hybrid. Sungold is not quite modern enough, it rarely makes split branches even if pruned (doesn't normally go beyond 20 per truss), but things like Suncherry, Tomatoberry, Esterina, Swetelle, and pretty much everyone else, will make 50-100 per truss easily if pruned. Not sure about the Artisan cherry/grapes, as I haven't tried any before this year, I assume they have some new genes from the modern hybrids in them, so might very well be in this last category also.