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Post by daylilydude on Oct 14, 2017 4:07:07 GMT -5
Why would you top a tomato plant??
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Post by paulf on Oct 14, 2017 5:57:03 GMT -5
I see no reason to do that no matter the excuses some have.
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Post by meandtk on Oct 14, 2017 9:42:00 GMT -5
I have no clue.
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Post by september on Oct 14, 2017 9:55:55 GMT -5
I don't top either, but I can see where someone might want to do it for the visual aesthetics if the vines are getting too lanky and unsupportable. It would allow the lower suckers to bush out again with healthy green leaves.
I know people say they top them in the fall to encourage the ripening of remaining tomatoes, but I don't really buy that theory. Just because you top them, that doesn't stop them trying to grow more suckers down low. Even when you remove suckers, they just keep forming new ones, often in the same crotch of the branch. I think the plant is programmed to keep trying to make new green growth if it has enough sun and fertility. Topping it just switches the new growth elsewhere, does not stop it.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Oct 14, 2017 15:54:14 GMT -5
Topping never made sense to me, unless one really needs to control the plant's height. And the plant will be taller again before you know it.
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Post by tomike on Oct 14, 2017 17:07:49 GMT -5
I agree
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Post by paquebot on Oct 15, 2017 18:36:52 GMT -5
If it's an indeterminate, there are only 2 reasons. One has already been mentioned, to control height. The other would be to promote more laterals which then are programmed to take over as main stems. Some growers will claim that that promotes more fruit production. I am unable to agree nor disagree with that.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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