Tomato Sucker Management: Balancing Fruit Size and Yield

A tomato sucker is a shoot emerging between the main stem and a leaf—not defined by stem texture. Left alone, it fruits but reduces size of fruit above by intercepting nutrients. Removing suckers maximizes sun-facing leaves and photosynthesis. Alternative: let suckers grow to 5-7 leaflets, then pinch off the tip (leaving 3 leaflets). This stops extension growth, minimizes shading, but retains photosynthetic capacity. Or let the vine ramble—more, smaller fruit with less work.