Grassing tomatoes or how to prevent diseases
Content
Why do you need to pinch?
As you know, tomato is a plant that can grow wildly. So that the nutrients do not "feed" the extra greens, but are distributed only between the fruits, pinching is used: young unnecessary shoots are removed. Then the fruit will ripen earlier, and the harvest will be of better quality. It is possible, of course, not to tear off additional stems at all, but in this case, the yield will depend on external conditions and the variety. 
When the first fruits appear, the increase in green vegetation is reduced, but at the same time each tomato is poured more slowly, and the tomatoes turn out to be smaller than we were promised.
When and how?
In such a scrupulous matter, it is important to choose the right time correctly, since late picking of a tomato no longer makes sense. So, first of all, you need to distinguish the stepson from the sheet. In principle, even an inexperienced gardener can do this. You carefully examine the bush, find a leaf, and if there is a shoot between it and the trunk, congratulations, this is a stepson. Usually the stepson grows under the first flower brush. When the shoot has reached 3-5 cm, it means that the ideal time has come for the procedure. At this time, the plant will not experience stress, and there will be less pain.
Try not to leave hemp on the trunk after the pinching operation, as all kinds of infections and viruses can develop in them.
Scheme pinching tomatoes (tomato)
And also, in order to prevent the spread of diseases from one bush to another, break the stepson so that the juice does not fall on your hands. It is better to play as a son on a warm sunny morning, so that the wound heals faster by evening. It is also important to know that a certain variety dictates its own rules.
Despite the abundance of varieties, tomatoes can be divided into three groups: determinant (including standard), semi-determinant and indeterminate. They differ in appearance and yield. Also, it is customary to form such bushes in different ways.
A tall indeterminate tomato and its hybrids are subjected to the simplest way of shaping. The bush is organized into one stem, removing all stepchildren. By August, get a harvest of 5-6 clusters of tomatoes. If you regret cutting the bush, then it will be of little use. A huge, spreading bush will grow, with strong lateral shoots. The open ground on which the fruits will lie is not the best place for a ripe tomato. And on top of the bush, too, you will not wait for the results. The correct action of the gardener is to pinch the tomato, not sparing it!
When forming semi-determinate varieties, look for the strongest shoots, leave 2-3 stems and a stepson under the first flower brush. If necessary, then leave one more a little higher. Such a variety, as a rule, stops its growth (is crowned). Therefore, do not rush to pinch him until you are sure that the main stem is no longer growing.
The determinant and standard variety is usually undersized. As soon as a certain number of brushes are tied, the tomato stops growing. If this variety is grown in one stem, the yield will be very low. Therefore, it is recommended to form determinant varieties of gardeners in 3-4 stems.
In the greenhouse
In the greenhouse, pinching is used to increase the fruiting period and collect as much harvest as possible from a small area. To get a ripe tomato in a short time, you need to choose a determinant variety. In such plants, only one stem is retained, but a reserve shoot is left under the first inflorescence for continuation. When a couple of inflorescences appear on it, they pinch it, that is, remove the crown to stop growth. In order for the plants to develop better, they are stepchild every 5-7 days. Leaves are also removed. When forming medium and tall tomatoes, a spare shoot is not needed. But tying the stem will be very useful. A low-growing bush does not need tying.
In the open field
Experienced gardeners know that only those fruits that were set before August 1 will have time to grow and ripen. As much as we feel sorry for it, all other shoots, even long and flowering ones, must be removed. There are two ways to make a tomato tomato:
- One time in late July / early August. All unnecessary shoots are removed, leaving 2-3 leaves above the fruits.
- Regular pinching once a week or once every 10 days. If you form a bush into one stem, then you save the main shoot, if two - add to it a stepson from a leaf under the first inflorescence, if three - add the next.
What varieties can you not pinch?
As it turned out, pinching tomatoes correctly is not easy. Especially if you are a novice summer resident, or simply do not have a certain amount of time. But do not rush to get upset! There are many varieties of tomatoes that do not require this procedure. All you need is open ground and skilled hands. Skilled gardeners are advised to choose varieties of Siberian selection, since they are created for growth in cold climates. 
You can grow and not pinch such varieties: tomato Nevsky, Gnome, Dubok, Chio-chio-san, tomato Comet, Rocket, Mars, Amber, Ladies fingers, Buyan, Moskvich, Little Red Riding Hood, Snowdrop. You will get a short, rather early bush.
No matter how you decide to grow tomatoes using a greenhouse or open ground, with or without pinching, in any case, I wish you an excellent harvest!
Video "Tomato Stepping"
Video on what types of tomatoes how to pinch (or not pinch). Formation options for one, two or three stems in the greenhouse.