Gardening

It depends



actually, it really does. Suckers are nothing more than additional fruiting stems. Pruning is the way to gain control over a plant, for those who stake them/grow vertically. But it reduces potential fruit set, since flowers form at various points along the main stems - and once they form and either set fruit or drop, that's it. More flowers won't form. So allowing additional fruiting stems (suckers) grow on provides more flowering, hence more fruit. Additional stems also meet additional foliage, which shades the developing tomatoes and prevents sunscald.

So the "depends" choice part is all about how you wish to grow and how much yield you hope for....and how massive a plant you can handle!

I prune minimally, but mostly just keep tying everything loosely to the stake very foot or so - I use 8 foot stakes. The plants do get quite huge, and minimal pruning, esp. with high temps (which can lead to blossom drop) means a better chance at a decent yield.