How to Cut Off the Side Shoots or Suckers From Tomatoes When They Grow

Those first 12 to 15 days of a tomato plant's growing season are intense. Unfortunately, they culminate in the creation of suckers, or small offshoots from the tomato plant's main stem. If allowed to grow unchecked, the suckers weigh down your plant, shading leaves and cutting down on the plant's ability to create the sugars that lead to healthy fruit production. Using a simple pruning method correctly decreases your time spent outdoors and ensures your tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum) is healthy and producing an abundant harvest.

Plastic bag

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the tomato plant for any suckers growing off the main shoot. To ensure your tomato plant remains healthy and strong, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station recommends removing all suckers.
- 2
  Wait until the tomato shoots at least 4 inches in length before grasping the sucker near the stem's base between your thumb and forefinger. Gently twist and bend the sucker until it breaks free of the stem. The University of Illinois Extension recommends removing the suckers first thing in the morning while the tomato plant is still crisp and cautions gardeners against cutting away the suckers with scissors or shears to avoid spreading disease.
- 3
  Continue removing all the suckers by gently twisting them off with your fingers until they're completely eliminated. Throw the suckers into a plastic bag and discard them in an outdoor trash receptacle.
- 4
  Monitor the tomato plant through the entire growing season. Twist off any emerging suckers in the same manner.

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