I have heard that you should/can pinch off the branches that come off of the main stem in the crotch where the leaf and stem join- to keep the tomatoes larger on the plant. That does follow logic that the plant doesn't burn alot of energy making vine and may put it's energy towards making larger fruit. That works the same for grapes and show quality dahlias amongst other plant fruits and flowers, as I understand it.
I think you asked about snipping the flowers though- and not the lateral growth- hmmm- I would hazzard a guess that if the plant puts all it's energy into 1 tomatoe- it may be a whopper- or it might just backfire and the plant might tire itself out trying to make more flowers as it is wont to do-
It will be interesting to see what others who know more will have to say about this-
Julie

I find it really makes no nevermind :) I only pinch them off if they are starting to get in the way or put too much weight on a branch (happens with my Caspian Pinks) and you wind up with more produce... haven't had problems with "smaller" stuff... though maybe if I actually did pinch all the time I'd take 1st place this year at the State Fair instead of a 2nd? ;)

-Marie

Does anybody have a good fertilizer for patio tomatoes? I have heard that they need a fertilizer but what I have looked at suggests not to be used for container tomatoes.

There are only two occations I pinch flowers.

First, If I have a plant that is flowering before it get's in the ground. I want the plant to focus it's energy on root development when I put it in the garden. I will pinch flowers when planting a larger transplant.

The second reason for pinching flowers is, toward the end of the season to encourage the existing fruit to finish, rather than setting new fruit. (that won't mature anyway)

As for pinching "suckers" I don't. I like to leave the foliage as "back up" just incase I have a problem with some type of desease and loose some of the foiliage.