Cherry Tomato Sucker trimming

[Don1971]

I think I get carried away. I trim a sucker when it is small, 6"-12" and, at most, as thick as a pencil. A week or 2 later and a new sucker is there just as big and I trim it. I think I should leave those? In the past I think I trimmed to much and there were not enough leaves. Some of my plants produce so many it is crazy. Black cherry, supersweet 100 and bumble bee cherry tomatoes in particular.

 

[YumYum]

I pinch my suckers off about as quick as they show up but I always try to leave a top one in case the leading vine decides to dead end on me. This makes them grow a little faster since no energy is wasted growing a limb to be cut off. Don't prune when plants are wet or are in the blazing sun.

If they are determinate tomatoes, you may be just reducing your harvest. I really only sucker the inderminate ones but I will prune them all back to allow airflow and sunlight in.

A picture of what you are calling a sucker would probably help.

 

[Don1971]

Pics, some go NUTS with suckers.

 

[YumYum]

Yep those are suckers. The only ones I've ever seen grow back are the ones near the ground. I've never actually looked to see if it was the actual sucker I cut off though. I have seen the end of the truss turn into a growing vine that I also prune away.

 

[Don1971]

Mine grow back all the time. More likely if I trim them when they are really small - 2-3 days old.