How to String & Sucker Tomato Plants

Step by step instructions about how to string and sucker indeterminate variety tomato plants.

More information about determinate (bush/cage) vs. indeterminate (trellis/vine) varieties:
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/tomato/2000082337022708.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8004097_tell-tomato-plant-determinate-indeterminate.html
http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-tomatoes.aspx

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• gardening
• tomatoes
• tomato
• pruning
• suckering
• greenhouse
• garden
• farming
• front porch
• front porch farm
• agriculture
• sustainable
• organic gardening
• natural gardening

[Leutchik]

The string-winding method seems great - for directing the growth of the main stalk upwards ... but how about when the plant gets heavily laden with fruit? How exactly will you be supporting those heavy branches?

I tend to want to let tomatoes ripen on the plant, but as that time approaches, the branch is so heavy it is threatening to damage the plant. HELP.

[FrontPorchFarm]

@Leutchik I've never had a problem with the branches breaking from the weight of the fruit. But you might try winding twine around and through the cluster of tomatoes back up towards the stem and tie it to your main string.

[MrDae006]

We have tried this for 4 of our 12 plants. We have 4 heirloom plants on the strings. By looking at the video, our plants don't seem to be growing up. The are very bushy compared to the ones on the video. I have been suckering, but maybe have been too careful. Yours seem to be much less bushy and growing taller as opposed to mine. Any suggestions?

[FrontPorchFarm]

@MrDae006 There is a possibility that you have a determinate variety of tomato plant, and you probably shouldn't keep suckering them.  Check out the links in the video description to further explain the difference on determinate and indeterminate.

[Eggdog12345]

This was a perfect vid to show me how to do something I've always wanted to figure out. I have a question, I started suckering my plants and have set up strings also. I have 4 or 5 plants that have actually forked about 5 stems up and both forks have blossoms on them. Should I remove one of the forks or let them go, seems it may get tricky to string them up as they get bigger. Doesn't really look like one was a sucker. Thanks.

[FrontPorchFarm]

@Eggdog12345 This year I tried leaving two main stems (video forthcoming). I wouldn't leave more than two or three, though--and those you leave, you'll need to string, and remove the suckers from them, as well.

[mstrhck]

Thank you! This is the most helpful and informative video on pruning tomato plants I've ever seen. You really gave a thorough and clear depiction of how to do this properly.

[farrahjean12]

This was THE BEST video on how to sucker a tomato plant. It also kind of hurt because I have been doing it all wrong and I hope I did not harm my plants so far. Thank you for the knowledge. It was a WONDERFUL and very informative video.

[Jagonomic]

On normal wind conditions, this training actually damages the tomato production (Not everyone afford a greenhouse). I prefer leaving low stem suckers, pinching above and prune the top of the plant to lower its center of gravity. I leave the plants to grow in ground level, and they manage themselves with the wind just fine.

[qin02]

thanks for the vid, I am using the stringing method here in sydney. I have also noticed there is an added benefit of stringing method if employed for tomatos grown outdoors. branches move with the wind, they get stronger as a result, and more chance of wind pollination

[aquebede]

Gardening videos are my porn.

[BalconyGrow]

Great info. Thanks for sharing. ~Jeri

[Teddybearcop48]

I'm very educational. Thank you !

[seocom]

I love that greenhouse.. it is huge!

[TheManonCanon]

excellent video on a poorly understood topic...

[chrlsnewsom5]

Odd responses on this video once more.