Jayne - we have hundreds, literally hundreds, of discussions here about pruning and the one thing they all have in common is there is no agreement on if, when, or how to do it.

I'm in the no pruning is required except for disease school, but if you feel you must open up the plant for some reason then that is your choice of course. But I wouldn't think it would be necessary to remove all of the lateral leaves (aka leaf branches). That is a big reduction in photosynthesis ability.

I am assuming these are indeterminate varieties since they are the only type where pruning is applicable so since the normal growth pattern is 2-3 leaves and then a fruit truss couldn't at least every other one be left on?

" in order to open up air space for the plants"

Is that it because your plants are over-crowded? Planted too close together? Disease? Ease of picking? Or just habit?

Dave

Thanks Dave. They are indeterminate heirlooms, I agree don't prune any determinates. I don't remove all the laterals, but just enough to get some air inside the plants, and give me room to get my hands in there to harvest. They are not too close, they are planted in a long row the entire length of my 3 acre garden. I don't know the spacing exactly but I would say 3 ft on center from one cage to the next. They are the tallest cages you can buy and there is a good 8-10" between the top rings of each cage, just enough to squeeze through to the other side if need be. I guess I prune the laterals because they tend to bend down toward the ground and I like to keep things high up. And I feel bad cutting off blossoms.

I don't seem to have any problems with this method, and I have been doing it for years. Tonight after work will be a pruning night and I was just second guessing myself as to whether there was a better method.

I have 95 plants, so it takes awhile. :)

Jeyne, If you have been doing for year and are satisfied with the results, I would suggest continue your practice. I do prune the lower leaf branches for better air flow ,as a measure of diseases prevention. And I keep the plants to no more than 3-4 stems on indeterminants and prune the rest of laterals.

here how my plants look like.

another picture

Sey

With that many plants why not try an experiment with a few and do say 3 different degrees of the pruning on 4 to 6 plants to compare to your normal practices. See if making any changes gives you any added benefits (other than more free time). ;-)

Dave