Removing the tip releases side shoots

The top bud keeps lower buds from racing. Take it off and those sides wake. That is how you turn a single stem into a branched plant, a hedge, or more flowering wood on many dicot crops.

Leave the leader when you want a tree form or a single fruiting cane. Time the pinch so new shoots still have season to harden.

This is not a hormone product. If a tomato or pepper is all height and no laterals, the tip was never touched — or light and water already starved the sides.

In this series

• Wilt is lost cell firmness — judge water by the plant, not only the soil
• Protect green leaf area; leaves feed fruit, seed, and roots
• Do not wreck young feeder roots at transplant
• Removing the tip releases side shoots
• Match the flower to how it is pollinated
• Families are field shortcuts; lookalikes can still be dangerous