How to get rid of suckers on tomato plants?
by
Lucille
+1
We have 2 tomato plants. one has a few tomatoes-we were told these plants have suckers and should be picked off. what do they look like and is it too late to do that?
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Suckers or new shoots are usually based right at the crux of the plant stem and the branch. Pinch out. It is never too late to remove them, but they can also be used to start new plants.
Hi Bea, suckers on tomatoes are extra branches that pop up and the plant puts all its energy into growing them instead of the fruit. For example, if you have a tomato stem and a branch growing nicely straight out, if you look, on some of those stem/branch joints a NEW branch grows in the corner at a diagonal, that is the sucker. Here is a video that explains it real well. A picture is worth a thousand words, hope this helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bogqT3eL-As
Pinch them off with your fingers. You can't prevent them, but removing them helps improve the tomatoes.
Suckers grow in the crotch between the main plant stalk and a main side branch. Just pick then off with you fingers.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tomato-plant-suckers.htm