The warmth of spring and summer brings a bountiful crop of tomatoes for gardeners, but the harvest does not have to end when temperatures start to drop. Tomato plants grow many side shoots, also called suckers, between main branches. When cut, these suckers can form roots, and a new tomato seedling begins to grow. These seedlings, if properly cared for, will eventually grow into a full-sized tomato plant. Growing tomato plants from suckers is a reliable way to extend your harvest into the autumn months.
Select a healthy, 4- to 6-inch-long sucker to remove from the mature tomato plant. To find a sucker, look for a thin shoot growing between two main branches.
Pinch the base of the sucker between your thumb and forefinger, and bend it from side to side until it snaps off. Alternatively, use gardening clippers or scissors to cut the sucker off at the base.
Pick the lower leaves off the bottom of the sucker.
Fill a 4-inch pot with potting soil and plant the sucker in the soil with the cut end pointing down.
Check the sucker for root growth daily, indicated by new growth at the tip of the cutting. Roots begin to grow in about four days, and the plant is ready for transplanting to a larger container in seven to 10 days.
Fill a 3- to 5-gallon container with potting soil after seven to 10 days have passed. Plant the rooted sucker in the soil, taking care not to disturb the roots. Water thoroughly.
Place the container in a shady spot. Each day, put the container in a sunny area for a few hours. Gradually increase the amount of sun the plant gets every day.
Plant the tomato seedling in your garden after 10-14 days, if desired, or plant it in a larger container.
Things You Will Need
- Disinfected garden clippers or scissors (optional)
- 4-inch pot
- Potting mixture
- 3- to 5-gallon container
- Always disinfect garden tools before taking a cutting to avoid contaminating a plant with disease. To disinfect garden tools, soak them in a solution of diluted chlorine bleach for one minute or longer.
- If you cover your tomato seedlings with plastic to protect them from chilly nights, remove the plastic in the daytime. If you leave it on, the plants may suffer sunburn.
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