To optimize tomato growth and fruit yield, several pruning and management techniques should be applied at different stages. First, to enhance leaf area and improve photosynthesis, it's important not to remove the first inflorescence below the lateral vine (also known as the fork head) too early. Instead, wait until the first flower bud appears before cutting it off. This helps promote vigorous early growth and encourages earlier fruiting.
Second, when removing the first inflorescence or side vines, make sure to keep the lower leaves intact. Only the fork heads should be pruned, and it’s beneficial to leave more than two leaves on each stem. This increases the plant's photosynthetic capacity, which in turn supports better fruit development and weight gain.
Third, when training the tomato vines, a bending technique is recommended. Start by tying the first inflorescence to the base, which helps redirect nutrients to the second inflorescence. Then, tie the vine in the opposite direction to encourage upward growth. Alternatively, you can use a rope that is twisted or tied tightly around the inflorescence. This method helps concentrate nutrients in the developing fruits and is released once the plant reaches about 0.2 meters in height.
Fourth, for optimal fruit setting, it's best to retain 3 to 4 fruits per inflorescence. The retention strategy can vary: for example, three flowers can be kept, or if there are four or five, keep three to four. It's also important to thin out weak inflorescences before flowering to ensure stronger, larger fruits and reduce the occurrence of deformed tomatoes. As experienced growers often say, “There is no such thing as too high a yield,†emphasizing the importance of proper fruit selection.
Fifth, there are two main types of tomato plants: self-pruning (determinate) and indeterminate (infinity growth). For indeterminate varieties, the number of fruits to leave depends on factors like fertility and growth potential. In general, north of the Great Wall, it's common to leave 3 to 4 fruits per cluster, while south of the Great Wall, 4 to 5 may be preferred. However, over-fruiting should be avoided, especially in areas with multiple cropping cycles, where managing the number of fruiting cycles is key to maximizing economic returns.
Lastly, combining these pruning techniques with the use of plant growth regulators can further boost productivity. During the seedling stage, dipping roots in ABT 10 at 10–15 ppm can help increase yield. During the growing season, spraying 500 ppm "Anon" and Dydropenamine can control excessive vegetative growth. These sprays should be applied 2–3 times, with intervals of 7–10 days. Using these hormones typically results in a 15–20% increase in yield, along with healthier, greener foliage, better fruit quality, and improved resistance to diseases and decay.
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