[Sarajevo]

I pinch off suckers all the time. It doesn't hurt the plant. I haven't tried removing all the leaves except 3 on the lateral clusters. That would seem to be counterproductive.

Truthfully, a little shadecloth over the plants does wonders for them in our neck of the woods. That mid-day sun can be scorch plants quickly. I use a 30% shadecloth over my hoophouse.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Sarajevo:" Truthfully, a little shadecloth over the plants does wonders for them in our neck of the woods. That mid-day sun can be scorch plants quickly.
I use a 30% shadecloth over my hoophouse." What do you use as a 'shade clothe ? Do you have a brand name ?
What is is it's longevity ? ( years / months ) ?

[sockmonkey]

I pinch off suckers all the time. It doesn't hurt the plant. I haven't tried removing all the leaves except 3 on the lateral clusters. That would seem to be counterproductive.

Seems that way to me, too, but since I have over 53 tomato plants, I put six of the mystery tomatoes under the knife. They look naked. Will see what happens to them compared to their fully leafed brethren.