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9. UNDER-PRUNING OR OVER-PRUNING TOMATO PLANTS
Proper pruning of tomato plants is essential to ensure optimal growth and yield without damaging the plants. For determinate tomato plants, it is not recommended to prune them as it can negatively affect the harvest. In contrast, indeterminate plants should be pruned once they reach a height of 6 to 8 inches. During pruning, it is advisable to remove the leaves at the end of a stem up to the next stem or node to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.
This practice can also lead to larger fruit and faster ripening. However, it is important to avoid over-pruning tomato plants, as excessive pruning can cause sunscald and pale spots on the fruit due to overexposure to sunlight. To avoid this, always leave enough leaves on the plant after pruning to provide adequate shade for the plant.
10. LETTING PESTS EAT YOUR TOMATOES BEFORE YOU CAN
Protecting Your Tomato Plants from Pests Despite your best efforts to care for your tomato plants, pests can still wreak havoc on your garden and damage your crop. Here are some common tomato pests to be on the lookout for and tips for dealing with them: Hornworms are green caterpillars that can grow up to 5 inches in length and may feed on the edges of tomato leaves. If you spot them, simply remove them by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
Spider mites can cause spots on the leaves and gather on the undersides. You can use a garden hose to spray both sides of the leaves to remove them or try using insecticidal soap. Stink bugs can leave pale spots on the fruit by feeding on sap. Although stink bugs can be bothersome, the unaffected parts of the tomato fruit are still edible.
To eliminate stink bugs, you can spray them with warm, soapy water or drown them in a soapy solution when you see them. By being vigilant against these pests and taking action when necessary, you can safeguard your tomato plants and enjoy a fruitful harvest.
