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To: norton
I only pinch the suckers on my tomatoes until they have a really strong stem system, usually two or three sets of blooms up, then I let them go wild.

There are really 2 different schools of thought on the pinching of suckers; one that insists it must be done and those that don't. lol

It used to be that the oldtimers swore you HAD to pinch suckers to get the best fruit and with some open pollinated varieties, that may still be true. I have grown tomatoes both ways, and have some to the conclusion that it isn't necessary.

The size of the fruit may be slightly larger on pruned tomato plants, that depends more on the fertility of your soil than the pruning. There is no doubt that you will grow more fruit if you do not prune heavily.

The website for Bonnie Plants, probably the largest plant supplier in the South at least, indicates that the plants they sell do not require pinching. It is really a matter of personal preference. Do what works for you.

21 posted on 04/06/2012 12:43:36 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies ... plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
There are really 2 different schools of thought on the pinching of suckers; one that insists it must be done and those that don't. lol

None of my 140 varieties of tomatoes will have their suckers pinched this year...I get enough tomatoes as it is.

My wife pinches suckers when I'm not looking, but she has a mean streak. G-d forbid if you're a hornworm and she finds you before me...

23 posted on 04/06/2012 2:19:29 PM PDT by who knows what evil? (G-d saved more animals than people on the ark...www.siameserescue.org.)
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