Detailed Explanation of Continuous Pinching Cultivation Technology for Tomatoes

Implementing continuous pinching cultivation for tomatoes can effectively utilize the number of flowers, both increasing yield and raising the rate of high-quality fruit, making it an ideal high-yield approach. The specific operation is as follows:

After planting, the first flower cluster and second flower cluster of the tomato will bloom in succession. After hormone treatment is applied to the first flower cluster, only the robust lateral branch growing from the internode immediately below the first flower cluster is used; likewise, after the third flower cluster and fourth flower cluster have grown, leave 2 leaves before the fourth flower cluster and pinch the growing tip, taking this as the second basic branch. If you want to utilize more flower clusters, you must make an effort to effectively use the entire space from the ground to the top of the trellis in three dimensions, using the lateral branches grown from the already cultivated basic branches to fill the space after harvest. The number of flower clusters per branch depends on the space and the growth vigor of the branches and leaves. Generally speaking, leaving too many lateral branches easily reduces yield, so the number of flower clusters per tomato plant is generally controlled between 10-15.

After continuous pinching, attention should be paid to timely leaf removal. If leaf removal is too late, it will affect the normal growth of lateral branches, leading to poor flower bud development. All leaves on the lower part of the main stem should be removed, and care should be taken not to leave the leaf stalks, so as to avoid gray mold. Old leaves with poor photosynthetic capacity should also be removed, with the aim of fully utilizing new leaves with strong light-use capacity, thereby achieving the goal of high yield. Liu Zhenghua