Why is it necessary to pinch tomatoes and shorten their leaves

Tomatoes are plants that form a very large number of branches. Growing in an open field or greenhouse, you can observe a slight difference in the development of culture, but it is insignificant the development of bushes is slightly slower and they rarely exceed their growth, which is indicated in the biological characteristics. Therefore, the care will be the same.

Tomato pickling

Throughout the season, it is necessary to check tomato bushes and remove excess shoots. They are usually thin, weaker than the main stem and do not give a good harvest, but take food from the main stem. This does not allow the ovary to form fully.

With the help of a sharp knife or secateurs, the side shoots are removed, leaving a small cutting on the trunk (2-3 cm). Later they dry out and fall off on their own.

At the bottom of the shoots, all the leaves are removed, if they are left, they will begin to adhere to the ground, which will lead to their decay, as well as to diseases of the bushes. The leaf plates in the central part of the bush are shortened by 2/5 parts, and at the very top by 1/2.

In low-growing varieties of tomatoes, shoots are not removed, since buds are laid on them earlier than on other types, and an ovary is formed.

But they also need to be thinned out - the leaves inside the bush are shortened by 2/3, and the outer ones by 1/3.

Prevention after pinching

5-6 hours after the removal of lateral shoots and leaf plates, the prophylactic treatment of the bushes is carried out “on the leaf”.

Leaves and stems of plants are sprayed.

Processing can be carried out:

A solution of ammonium nitrate (2-3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water),

Peat oxidate (100 grams per 10 liter bucket of water),

· Iodine solution (1 bottle of iodine is diluted in 15 liters of warm water).