Which Leads to Prune?

[lapk78]

I'm trying to minimize the number of leads on a plant. The main lead is angled/growing into an area I'd prefer it not enter, but a sucker growing off of it is angled into the direction I do want. Would pruning off the main lead and letting the sucker remain do anything bad? Would it severely stunt the growth of the overall plant? Or would it become the main plant, with no problem? In the pic, the main stem I'm considering pruning off is on the right, and the sucker that I might want to turn into the main plant is on the left. Sorry if this is a slightly dumb question...

[FarmerShawn]

I'd say, the main loss would be that nice flower cluster on the current main stem. Other than that, you're right in that the remaining sucker would become the main stem, just a little bit behind. I occasionally accidentally break off the top of a main stem while I'm tying or pruning, and I just let the next lower sucker take over. That's exactly why I never take off the top sucker when I'm pruning, in case I need it to take over as a result of my clumsiness.

[Milan HP]

There are no dumb questions, just dumb answers. I hope mine is not from that category. I can see that there's a bunch of flower buds on the main stem. You don't actually need to cut the whole thing off. Just terminate it above the flowers, perhaps leaving a few leaves, too. I do that regularly. The plant won't suffer any harm, that's my experience. And you won't lose the future fruits. The side shoot will become the main one.
Milan HP

[MrBig46]

As Milan writes. Leave two leaves behind the inflorescence and the others are cut off. The sucker takes over the function of the main stem. It is necessary to look after the two leaves on the original stalk, because in their troughs will form suckers, which must be broken soon.
Vladimír

[Gardeneer]

I usually keep both first V shaped leads. To me those are not suckers.

[elight]

I've had this bookmarked forever:

https://xilg5ix3ja7lncnmmgitssn3da-a...ur_2-tiges.htm

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Milan HP]

Hello Elight,
I've just followed in your footsteps.Thank you.
Milan HP

[JerryHaskins]

Originally Posted by elight

I've had this bookmarked forever:

https://xilg5ix3ja7lncnmmgitssn3da-a...ur_2-tiges.htm

Thanks. My question is why not prune the low branches down at the ground (circled in blue below)? They grow out long outside of my cages, rest on the ground, and the tomatoes that they produce are never any good---probably because they sit on the ground.

I've never pruned them, but I am seriously considering it this year.