Growing Show-Stopping Tomatoes: The Simple Pruning Technique That Makes All the Difference
As the summer months approach, gardeners across the UK are eagerly anticipating the ripening of their tomato plants. While many are content with a steady supply of cherry tomatoes, others aim to grow larger, more flavourful fruits that make a statement in any dish. According to experts at Juliana, a simple technique can help maximise the size of your tomatoes, and it all comes down to pruning.
In an interview with the Express, the Juliana team revealed that truss pruning is the key to growing show-stopping, sizeable fruits. This involves removing some of the fruit on a truss, the cluster where tomatoes grow, to allow the remaining fruit to grow larger. "To maximise the size of your tomatoes, consider truss pruning," they said. "This is especially important on larger, beefsteak tomatoes, where the weight of developing fruit can damage the plants."
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also recommends truss pruning for cordon or indeterminate tomatoes, which grow tall and need supports like wooden stakes. But when is the best time to prune your tomato plants? The RHS suggests pruning once they have reached the top of their support. Another indicator is the number of fruits on the plant. For tomatoes grown indoors, perhaps in a kitchen or greenhouse, pruning should occur when they have seven fruit trusses. For plants grown outdoors, consider pruning when the plant has four trusses.
Pruning in June, when plants typically start to set fruit, ensures your plant knows which trusses to concentrate on well before the height of summer’s ripening rush. The method is easy, and according to the Juliana team, involves removing the growing point of the main stem at two leaves above the top truss. You should aim to keep about four to six tomatoes per truss on indoor tomato plants, removing the smallest or misshapen fruits, allowing the plant to concentrate its energy on developing fewer, but larger, fruits.
The benefits of truss pruning are clear. By helping your tomato plant focus its resources, you can yield bigger, more flavourful tomatoes. As the Juliana team explained, "Remove the smallest or misshapen fruits, allowing the plant to concentrate its energy on developing fewer, but larger, fruits. Regularly check your plants and prune as needed throughout June." This simple technique can make all the difference in growing show-stopping tomatoes that are the envy of your friends and family.
In the UK, tomatoes start to ripen from mid-summer onwards, although timing depends on the variety, weather conditions, and fruit size. In a greenhouse, tomatoes typically fruit from June to October. With the right pruning technique, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, larger tomatoes. As the Express has reported, truss pruning is a simple yet effective way to maximise the size of your tomatoes. By following these expert tips, you can grow bigger, better tomatoes that will be the star of any dish.
The science behind truss pruning is straightforward. By removing some of the fruit on a truss, you allow the remaining fruit to receive more nutrients, water, and sunlight. This results in larger, more flavourful fruits that are perfect for slicing, saucing, or enjoying fresh. As the RHS notes, cordon or indeterminate tomatoes benefit greatly from truss pruning, and with the right technique, you can enjoy a bumper crop of delicious tomatoes.
In conclusion, growing show-stopping tomatoes is easier than you think. With the simple pruning technique of truss pruning, you can maximise the size of your tomatoes and enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, larger fruits. By following the expert advice from Juliana and the RHS, you can grow bigger, better tomatoes that will be the envy of your friends and family. For more information on growing tomatoes, visit the Express.
