There are many types of vegetables that require shaping during growth. This practice is primarily implemented to ensure the health of the plants, but it also helps in achieving well-formed, larger fruits. By following our guidance, we hope you have successfully grown healthy and productive plants, prevented diseases and pests, and managed to recover them in case of any infestations.
We have consistently provided you with the necessary tips at the right time, and we believe they have been beneficial. However, the process does not end here. To ensure that tomato fruits remain large and of high quality throughout the growing season, certain measures should still be taken. One such technique is the removal of plant tops, a process known as decapitation. This method halts further growth, thereby directing the plant’s energy toward fruit formation and ripening.
Decapitation should be performed once the plant has developed a sufficient number of fertile stages, which means enough reproductive branches. It involves cutting the top of the plant with a sharp knife or scissors, just above the last flower branch that you intend to keep, leaving two or three additional leaves. However, it is important to note that not all tomato cultivars respond well to decapitation. In some varieties, this technique may result in excessive growth of side shoots, commonly referred to as suckers, which must be removed through pinching.
There is often confusion between the terms pinching and decapitation. The key difference is that pinching refers to the removal of side shoots or suckers, while decapitation involves cutting off the top of the main plant. Pinching is carried out regularly, typically once a week during the intensive growth period. It is essential not to allow suckers to overgrow and dominate the central plant structure. The ideal approach is to remove suckers when they are about 5 to 10 cm in length by pinching them off with a gentle sideways motion. This helps redirect the plant’s nutrients toward the fruit-bearing branches, promoting healthy fruit development.
Pinching plays a significant role in the overall development of both the plant and its fruits. Young suckers can be easily removed by hand, but for older, thicker ones, it is advisable to use scissors or a knife to prevent damage to the main stem. Interestingly, suckers that grow close to the ground can be repurposed as young seedlings to grow new tomato plants.
Tomato plants require shaping to prevent them from becoming a tangled mass of small, unhealthy fruits that are highly susceptible to diseases and pests. During shaping, a central branch is maintained, from which flower branches emerge and eventually bear fruit. Identifying suckers is relatively easy as they grow in the leaf axils between the leaves and the main stem. When pinching, one must be careful to distinguish between suckers and flower branches, as the latter should be preserved for fruit production.
Additionally, lower leaves should be removed to improve air circulation, particularly in the lower part of the plant, where fungal diseases such as downy mildew commonly occur. Once all fruits on a particular bearing branch have developed their final shape or have ripened, the leaves surrounding that branch should be removed. This process should be repeated as fruits ripen on the upper branches. Regular leaf removal is crucial, as leaves play a role in photosynthesis and plant nutrition, especially when using foliar fertilizers, which are highly beneficial during the summer months.
When removing leaves, it is recommended to take off three to four leaves at a time, repeating the process as needed. Eventually, when the plant reaches a certain height, the top should be cut off to halt further vertical growth and redirect the plant’s energy toward fruit production. Ideally, decapitation should be performed after the development of the fifth or sixth flower branch. However, depending on climatic conditions, you may choose to leave additional branches if you believe the fruits will have enough time to ripen before colder temperatures arrive.
Skipping this step allows the tomato plant to grow beyond its support structure and bend back towards the ground, leading to a larger number of smaller fruits. On the other hand, decapitation ensures fewer but larger and healthier fruits. The decision depends on your goals, but maintaining plant health until the end of the growing season is crucial. Therefore, decapitation is highly recommended for better fruit quality.
A reduced leaf mass lowers the risk of disease and pest infestations. If any disease or pest does appear, it is essential to recognize that spores and harmful organisms remain in the soil and could pose a threat to the next planting season. Aside from tomatoes, other vegetables such as peppers, eggplants, zucchinis, watermelons, melons, and cucumbers also benefit from shaping techniques. In fact, shaping is even more critical for these creeping plants, as it encourages the growth of more female flowers on side branches, leading to a greater yield of fruits.
In the case of certain plants, decapitation stimulates the development of necessary side branches, ensuring increased fruit production. For our tomato plants, we have opted to cut them above the sixth flower branch. In our region, lower temperatures arrive quite early, making it impractical to extend the growing season unless a heated greenhouse is available. Additionally, we must free up greenhouse space by September to grow various winter vegetables such as lettuce and onions. If you are interested in learning more about winter vegetable cultivation, you can follow our channel, where we provide a step-by-step guide on ensuring a diverse range of fresh produce during colder months.
Growing a variety of vegetables throughout the winter is not only practical but also beneficial for maintaining good health during the colder seasons. Despite the challenges posed by this year’s weather conditions, we believe our guidance has helped many gardeners successfully cultivate vegetables and preserve produce for winter consumption.
For those interested in preparing winter salads, we also have tutorials on how to make preservative-free salads using just a few simple ingredients. Given the changing climate conditions in various parts of the world, gardeners must adapt by shifting sowing and harvesting times accordingly. If possible, investing in a greenhouse is highly recommended, as it offers significant advantages in combating diseases and pests that have been particularly problematic for outdoor crops this year.
We will continue to explore and share new gardening techniques, helping you achieve successful harvests and ensuring that you grow healthy, delicious fruits and vegetables. Stay with us as we strive to bring you the best methods for optimizing plant growth and maintaining productivity throughout the year.
