Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pruning Tomato Plants

Want to double your tomato harvest?

The number one thing you can do is to prune your tomato plants. Pruning is not a foreign concept to most gardeners, but pruning tomato plants, especially in the South, may be a forgotten benefit. The benefits of pruning are: 1. Stimulates growth, 2. Increases airflow which decreases mold, 3. Allows water and nutrients to flow more effectively to the tomatoes instead of the leaves, 4. Tomatoes are healthier, 5. Tomatoes will mature quicker.

HOW TO...

Today we located a flowering branch on the plant. If the plant has more than one then we considered the lowest flowering branch. We then pruned all leaf branches below the lowest flowering branch. Some tomato growers continue to prune all leaf branches below future developing flower branches. Thereby only leaving leaf branches at the top of the plant. Be careful not to over prune in the South.

NOTE:

In the South there needs to be much care to not over prune tomatoes. Over pruning will result in sun scorched tomatoes. Some leaf branches need to be left to provide some shade.

Locate the flower or fruit branch(es). As you will notice, the flowering branches are a smaller diameter than the leaf branches. Consider that as you contemplate whether you would like to grow leaves or tomatoes.

Locate the leaf branches. Prune off the lowest leaf branch that is below the lowest fruit or flower branch. I am pointing to that branch.

Continue pruning off all leaf branches below the lowest flower branch. Prune by pinching off, with a razor blade or pruning snips.

This is a finished initial pruned tomato plant. This is what your pruned tomato plant should look like.

All leaf branches on the main stem are remove. However, this is not the end of your pruning for the season. As the plant grows, it will need supporting via cages, staking, string, etc. The further pruning of leaf branches, especially those that drape near the ground, will need to be done.
Removal of these low draping leaves will increase air circulation which will greatly help to prevent fungus and blossom end rot.

Remember this is the primary pruning and others will be necessary as the plant grows. Remember, in the South, a balance between leaf branches for shade should be attained. Do not remove all of the leaf branches.

Let us know if we can help you
Email: downthelanecreatives@gmail.com

Monday, May 16, 2011

Black Fungus on Tomato Plants

Black Fungus (as pictured) can be devastating to almost all vegetable plants and tomatoes are definitely not excluded. The main causes of Black Fungus are incorrect watering (top watering, watering at night, etc.) and insufficient air circulation (plants too close together, branches on the ground, mulch too close, etc.). Black Fungus thrives in damp and cold conditions. If you see brown or black spots on leaf branches, you must take action NOW. This will not go away on its own. Some master gardeners say at the first sign of Black Fungus you should dig u p the plant and all of its soil base then throw it in the trash. Black Fungus is very contagious and imperative to be prevented. If you have slight signs of Black Fungus, you must visit your garden twice a day, determining the severity. Upon the first sighting of black mold: pinch off affected leaves or branches. If you have not already pruned your tomato plants you will find that pruning will get rid of most of the affected branches for the B lack Fungus usually progresses from the soil.

Day by Day Black Fungus Prescription

  • Day One (Initial Sighting of Black Fungus): Prune Tomato Plants (see our previous notes) w hile making sure the mulch is 3 to 4 inches away from the stem at the soil;
  • Day One (P M): Pinch off all affected leaves (NOTE: if you are pulling off more than one handful of leaves off one plant, then dig up the plant being careful to remove all of its soil and throw both into the trash. Do not compost!)
  • Day Two (AM) Pinch off all affected leaves and purchase an Organic Fungicide (see above Note) ;
  • Day Two (PM) Apply fungicide to test plants (see above Note);
  • Day Three (AM) Observe affects of Fungicide on test plants (see above Note);
  • Day Three (PM) Observe affects of Fungicide on test plants. If test plants are improved or unaffected by the fungicide, then apply fungicide to ALL tomato plants carefully following the directions for the fungicide (see above Note).
  • Day Four (AM) After applying fungicide continue to monitor this potential disappointing devastation fungus invasion. See above NOTE.

Prevention Notes:

  • Water Consistently
  • Make Sure Calcium is available in the soil. (Lime and Gypsum are calcium sources. Lime raises pH. Gypsum lowers pH.)
  • Prune Tomato Plants
  • Plant Tomato Plants in Pots if Garden Soil is Infected (Take special note to size, color and type of pot).
  • Keep pets out of planted area
  • Insure Air Circulation (If in a green house then run a fan at least twice a day)