Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Tomatoes' lower leaves - on or off?

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Tomatoes' lower leaves - on or off?

    So what do you all think about removing the lower leaves from tomato plants? I've read and heard views on both sides and was wondering if there's any kind of consebsus on here. Has anyone tried doing a comparitive experiment with some plants with them left on and some taken off?

    I tend to take them off when they start to look manky from now on, but not remove the healthyones untill it gets to September and there's the last few left to ripen. I don't base this on any real theory or evidence, of course, I think I got it from what my Mum used to do

  • #2
    Like you I just take them off when they start to yellow & droop but don't normally take off healthy leaves except if there are a lot around the trusses I want to ripen & I might remove some of them to let the sun in.
    Into every life a little rain must fall.

    Comment


    • #3
      We take ours off when they start to get 'too much' - prefer to be able to get an air-flow round the plant to (hopefully) help stave off the onset of blight. Not just the lower leaves either, any that seem to be getting out of control.
      To see a world in a grain of sand
      And a heaven in a wild flower

      Comment


      • #4
        I have to be honest and say that I have hacked away a little at the cordon toms and not just on the lower leaves. Not seemed to have done any harm so far and has certainly opened everything up for watering and checking for pests.
        ~
        Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway.
        ~ Mary Kay Ash

        Comment


        • #5
          I just remove anything that doesn't look healthy and needs to be got rid of.

          From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

          Comment


          • #6
            As each truss of toms develop i take the lower leaves off to give the toms light and sun to ripen. Also take off any large leaves that might be blocking out the light. So long as you don't take too many off they will be fine.

            And when your back stops aching,
            And your hands begin to harden.
            You will find yourself a partner,
            In the glory of the garden.

            Rudyard Kipling.sigpic

            Comment


            • #7
              After the fruits start to form, and are beginning to develop, I remove all the leaves below the first truss - everything else stays.
              Rat

              British by birth
              Scottish by the Grace of God

              http://scotsburngarden.blogspot.com/
              http://davethegardener.blogspot.com/

              Comment


              • #8
                I do the same Rat, they only go Yellow anyway as they've done their bit & it's up to the leaves higher up to carry on.
                ntg
                Never be afraid to try something new.
                Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
                A large group of professionals built the Titanic
                ==================================================

                Comment

                Latest Topics

                Collapse

                Recent Blog Posts

                Collapse
                Working...
                X