How, what and when to cut off leaves from tomatoes, and most importantly - why?

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Let's figure out when to tear off the leaves of tomatoes, what it's for and what kind of leaves are to be removed. Do I need to remove leaves from tomatoes? This question seriously worries many truck farmers, and it is very difficult to find an unambiguous answer.

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Content:
  • Should the leaves be cut off from tomatoes and which ones?
  • How to tear off leaves from tomatoes?

Bushes of tomatoes with removed superfluous leaves, a photo:

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On the relevant garden and garden forums, you can read a lot of reasoning about this. However, most summer residents are inclined to believe that this "operation" has a beneficial effect on the growth of tomato shrubs and fruit quality. Moreover, this procedure is recommended for both greenhouse representatives, and for those growing on beds in the suburban area.

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Do you need to cut off the leaves of tomatoes - the main reasons for "

  • Evaporation of a large amount of moisture, especially large lower leaves. In addition, they draw from the plant vitality and nutrients, which can be directed to the formation of fruits.
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  • Too strong foliage thickens prevents normal air exchange between planted shrubs. Because of this, humidity rises, after which, as a consequence, a beneficial environment is created for the development of various diseases.
  • After watering, moist leaves are in contact with the soil - these are ideal conditions for activating putrefactive processes and multiplying bacteria. By the way, one of the most dangerous diseases of tomatoes - late blight, begins with the defeat of the lower leaves, which contact with the ground.

In addition to removing leaves, tomatoes should be watered purposefully under the root. If you also cover the soil with a thick layer of straw, it will be only a plus.

Removal of the bottom leaves, photo:

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Should the leaves be cut off from tomatoes and which ones?

If we consider the situation objectively, then the tomato leaf is the same part of the plant as the stem or root system. The sheet performs its important function, from this point of view the removal looks somewhat sacrilegious. However, our goal is to help the tomato shrub to become stronger, and the fruits to grow larger, therefore, the issue of tearing leaves should be treated rationally. Remove unnecessary fragments. Thus, yellowed or old leaves with dark dots and spots of benefit to the plant will not bring, rather, only harm, become a hotbed of various infections.

Is it possible to cut off leaves from tomatoes growing in the direction of the northern side? The answer will be yes - yes, cut off, to ensure the access of sun rays to other leaves and fruits. Also, leaves that thicken the bush (located in the depth of the bush) are subject to removal - they worsen ventilation, especially in the case of greenhouse plantings. Escape and leaves that grow from a fruit brush are also recommended to be cut off, even if another ovary is formed on this shoot. The sense of this "yield" is small, tomatoes will be small, so it is better to remove excess sprouts, so that the main brush spends vitality only on itself. The exception is the case when the main brush is unsuccessful, then a couple of additional fruits can grow out of the growing brush.

About the lower large leaves have already been mentioned - they are really better to remove. The top of the bush should also be plucked, but after the bush has about 8 fruit brushes, it should be left alone. By time this is usually the last days of July and the first weeks of August. As for stepsons, they must be removed necessarily. The so-called stepchildren grow from the sinus leaf and tend to grow rapidly. While the process does not reach 5 cm, it is recommended to pinch it as quickly as possible, then the bush will transfer this procedure relatively painlessly, and the fracture site will quickly heal. In general, stepchildren should be removed, starting from the 10th day after planting seedlings on beds, every 10-12 days.

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Stepson, photo:

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Thus, the answer to the question - whether it is necessary to break off the leaves of tomatoes, will be definitely positive, if it concerns stepchildren. Experienced summer residents also recommend removing leaves under each formed brush. This technique is aimed at improving air exchange and illumination among tomato rows. If you do not go into details, then the general rules for thinning foliage tomatoes look like this: twice a week, it is recommended to delete 2 or 3 bottom sheets. However, if the plant is well and the situation requires it, you can remove 5-6 sheets at once, nothing terrible with the bush will not happen. Remember the simple, but important rule - until the fruit is not fastened in the brush, the leaves from above must be present. If the fruit brush is already covered with berries, then the foliage growing below it can be removed.

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How to tear off leaves from tomatoes?

This procedure is better done in the mornings, between 8 am and 12 pm, then the fracture sites will drag out more quickly, and stress for the plant will be minimal. On an overcast day, in the afternoon or evening it is better not to do this. To sap movement is not violated, it is recommended to leave at least two leaves above the top fruit brush. The process of removal is simple, since all fragments in a tomato bush are easily broken off. When breaking the petiole, try to keep your hand moving upwards! If you pull the sheet down, then, most likely, remove the strip of peel from the stem and injure the plant. Do not cut off the leaves of tomatoes immediately after watering or after a rain - the risk of catching an infection increases.

Penitence at the place of the stepson, photo:

In principle, to implement this process, you can arm with scissors and garden gloves - so you will be more comfortable. And one more thing - when you remove your stepchild leave a small (about - cm) stain! At this point the new stepchild will not grow.

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That's all the simple rules and recommendations about how and when to tear off the leaves from tomatoes. The process seems to be uncomplicated, but very important, if you want to grow a generous and healthy harvest of tomatoes in your area.

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