So proceed professionally

What is meant by "maxed out"?

The technical term "maxed out" describes the regular breakout of the young shoots on the leaf axils. This measure will:

• the number of branches,
• the leaf mass,
• the amount of flowers

reduced.

The so-called stingy shoots are stingy with fruits, because they only develop after the main shoot and therefore plant fewer and later tomatoes. By pruning, the plant puts all its strength into the remaining fruits. You won't be able to harvest that much, but the individual tomatoes are larger and taste more aromatic.

For tomatoes to taste fruity and sweet, you need a lot of light. By pruning, the plant does not grow as densely and the sunlight plays around the fruit.

Modern breeds in particular tend to grow sprawling. If you remove part of the twigs, the other shoots can be easily attached to the tomato sticks. The fruit-bearing parts of the plant are more stable and do not break off easily.

The reduced leaf mass ensures good ventilation in the greenhouse. Skimming the tomatoes It also serves to prevent the dreaded brown and late blight, which kills many tomato plants early on.

How is maxed out?

1. Start breaking out the stinging shoots about a month after planting.
2. These should still be quite soft so that the main shoot is not damaged.
3. Pinch the shoot with your fingers or cut it out with a sharp knife.
4. Make sure the interface is clean.

Since the stingy shoots keep growing back, they have to be removed about once a week during the entire growing season.

Are there tomatoes that are not maxed out?

This maintenance measure is only necessary for single-shoot cultivated stick tomatoes. Bush or Balcony tomatoes however, you can just let it grow. These are only pinched a little if they thrive too excessively.