Good afternoon, my reader. Have you decided to cut the leaves of the tomatoes? Before doing this, read our article.
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Pros and cons of cutting all the leaves
+ Lack of foliage gives access to more sunlight, which contributes to faster crop maturation.
+ The leaves of crops not only produce nutrients, but are also responsible for the evaporation of moisture. If you reduce the number of leaves to a minimum, the growth of tomatoes will change much faster (this will happen because all the moisture will go to the ovary).
+ The abundance of foliage on the stems prevents sufficient air from reaching the root zone. At the same time, the negative impact is felt on the general state of culture. The only way to solve the problem is to completely trim the leaves.
In addition to its advantages, such a maneuver has its own very unpleasant consequences.
- The impossibility of receiving nutrients from the root system directly into tomatoes. Initially, water from the soil enters the foliage, which undergoes the process of photosynthesis. The end result is that this process produces nutrients that the culture redirects into tomatoes. If the trunks are without leaves, the tomatoes will still grow and even reach a red hue, but the taste will deteriorate significantly.
- The evaporation process allows not only to lose moisture, but also to create a microclimate around the bush. When the leaves are cut off, the crop loses its ability to evaporate and cannot withstand the harsh weather conditions. In addition, when the bush is located openly in the sun, tomatoes are exposed to possible burns and some diseases.
So after all: is it worth trimming the leaves of tomatoes?
Approaching the issue of cutting leaves from tomatoes and weighing all the pros and cons, most gardeners abandon the idea of growing crops on a clean stem. But, no matter how contradictory it may seem, this method also has its drawbacks:
- If there are too many leaves on the bush, the process of growth and ripening of the fruit will slow down significantly.
- Leaves that are located near the ground come into direct contact with the ground. It is this aspect that most often leads to the fact that the branches begin to rot, and the vegetable itself undergoes the formation of diseases.
- Considering the previous aspects, professional gardeners consider cutting the leaves necessary, but this should be done according to certain rules.
The procedure for the formation of a generative culture must be started right from the moment of planting small shoots in the soil. Simply put, the most important task and goal of an experienced gardener is considered to be the formation of such bushes that will bear fruit as quickly as possible.
On the Internet, there is an opinion that when transferring seedlings, old leaves from the bushes must be cut off. In this case, we are talking about the foliage that is located near the ground. If you cut off a couple of lower leaf blades, the sprout can be slightly deepened. This will give the opportunity to form auxiliary roots.
Further, when the bush passes the rooting stage and begins to grow, it will be possible to prune in parts. This can be done at absolutely any phase and at any time. Your only responsibility will be to remove already about six leaves that grow from the bottom of the stem. It is after this that the process of airing the zone near the ground will improve and a barrier for contact with the ground will appear.
If there is an abundance of leaves on the middle tier that obscure each other, some of them can also be cut off. It will not harm the culture in any way.
If the bush has already formed, and the fruits grow and turn red on it, the greens can be cut along the lower tomatoes. This will help the fruit ripen faster.
Subject to all those rules that are indicated in the article, you will undoubtedly increase yields and accelerate the ripening of tomatoes.
Do you cut the leaves of tomatoes?
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
How to care for tomatoes, read the following article:Secrets of competent tomato care