Tomato plant threshing: How to do it and why?
Tomato plants are a favorite among gardeners for their juicy fruit and versatility in cooking. But to get the best harvest, it is important to thresh your tomato plant. But what exactly does that mean? And how do you do that? Let’s take a closer look at that.
What is thieving a tomato plant?
Thieving is a vegetable garden term that refers to removing the side branches that grow in the axils of the tomato plant. These side branches, also known as thieves, can hinder the plant’s growth and production by taking nutrients and energy away from the main stem and fruit.
Removing the thorns allows the plant to concentrate on producing larger and juicier tomatoes. Moreover, threshing your tomato plant can also help prevent disease because it improves air circulation and makes the plant less dense.
Thieving tomato plants by cutting away the side branches
Maintaining your tomato plant ensures a healthier plant
How do you thieve a tomato plant?
Good. So we know what thievery is and what it gets you. But, how exactly do you do it? We explain it to you easily through the steps below.
When should you start thieving?
It is best to start thinning once the tomato plant is about 30 cm tall, or when you see the first thorns appear. This is usually when the plant has developed its third or fourth set of leaves.
You dieft the plant throughout the growing and flowering season. It is a good idea to check your plants at least once a week for new thieves.
The steps for thieving a tomato plant
- Find the thief: The thief is the small shoot that grows from the armpit of the plant, the place where the petiole and stem meet.
- Remove the thief: Use your fingers to remove the thief. It is best to do this when the thief is still small, about 2-3 cm long. If the thief is larger, you can use a sharp knife or
pruning shears
to remove it. - Repeat this process: Continue removing thieves throughout the plant’s growing season.
It is important to be careful when thieving to avoid damaging the main stem of the plant. If you accidentally remove part of the main stem, it may hinder the plant’s growth and production.
Find the thief in the armpits of your tomato plant
Also when they are bigger you need to thresh the tomato plant
Frequently asked questions about tomato thieving
There are many questions regarding thieving tomato plants, but we see at The Grow Supplier that the questions below are asked the most:
Should you thresh all tomato plants?
Not all tomato plants need to be threshed. It depends on the type of tomato plant you have. Determinant tomato plants, which are those that grow to a fixed height and then stop growing, usually do not need it. Indeterminant tomato plants, however, which continue to grow and produce throughout the season, do benefit from threshing.
What happens if you don’t thresh a tomato plant?
If you don’t dieft a tomato plant, the plant will put more energy into growing leaves and branches, rather than producing fruit. This can result in a plant with lots of green but few tomatoes. In addition, densely populated plants may be more susceptible to pests and diseases because they have less air circulation.
What do I need for it?
Basically just your hands, although it is helpful to use a pair of cord cutters. This gives you more control over where you plant the tomatoes.
Garden Tools
Snoeischaar Groen – Best Choice
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Snoeischaar Rood – Best Choice
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✅ Gekromd onderblad
✅ Links en rechtshandig
€ 3,75
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Vergendelbare Snoeischaar – Benson
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€ 5,75
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Conclusion of The Grow Supplier
Threshing your tomato plant is a simple and effective way to improve the health and productivity of your plants. By regularly taking the time to thresh your plants, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of large, juicy tomatoes. So grab your
gardening gloves
and get to work!
And remember, vegetable gardening is not only a way to produce food, it is also a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. So even if you’ve never thinned a tomato plant before, we encourage you to give it a try. You’ll be amazed at the results!
