Juicy, aromatic and tasteful tomatoes are the quintessence of summer. One of the key treatments is the removal of wolves, i.e. side shoots growing from the angle of leaves.
Why is it worth removing tomato wolves?
As we wrote above, “wolves” are lateral shoots that grow from the angle of tomato leaves. Although at first glance they may seem innocent, they actually weaken the plant and limit yield. They take water and nutrients that should be intended for fruit development. They also thicken the bush, and the dense crown hinders the access of light to fruit, which slows down their ripening and promotes the development of fungal diseases. In addition, the energy of the plant is directed to the development of shoots, not fruit ripening. Therefore, regular removal of “wolves” is necessary to provide tomatoes optimal conditions for growth and abundant yield.
When and how to remove tomato wolves?
It is best to remove “wolves” regularly, every few days, when they are still small, they are about 5-7 cm long. Then the plant does not lose too much energy on their development, and the treatment is easy and fast. The simplest method of removing shoots is to gently break the “wolves” with your fingers. This should be done carefully so as not to damage the main shoot. You can use a sharp knife or pruning shen to cut the wolf right at the main rush. However, you need to remember to disinfect tools to avoid transferring diseases. Remove “wolves” on a sunny day so that the wounds heal quickly after removal. After the procedure, it is worth supplying tomatoes with potassium and phosphorus fertilizer to help the development of fruit. Removed shoots, you can put in a dish with water, and when they release the roots, plant as new tomato bushes.
Which tomato varieties require wolf removal?
Not all varieties of tomatoes require removal of “wolves”. High species, carried out for one or two shoots, require regular wolf removal. On the other hand, dwarf varieties, self -ending, often do not require this procedure, because they naturally form a bushy habit. It is always worth checking the description of a given variety to make sure that the removal of wolves is necessary.
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