Trimming your plants for the best growth

Trimming or pruning hydroponic plants is essential to maintain healthy growth, optimise yield, and prevent disease. Here's a guide tailored specifically for hydroponic systems:

Why Trim Hydroponic Plants?

1. Promote Air Circulation – Prevent mould and mildew in a moist, enclosed hydroponic environment.
2. Encourage Growth – Direct energy to fruiting and flowering instead of excess foliage.
3. Shape the Plant – Manage height, spacing, and light penetration.
4. Remove Unhealthy Parts – Eliminate dead, yellowing, or diseased leaves early.

General Trimming Guidelines

When to Trim:

• Vegetative Stage: Focus on shaping and opening the canopy.
• Flowering/Fruiting Stage: Light trimming; remove unnecessary leaves blocking light.
• After Transplanting or Shock: Wait a few days before trimming to avoid additional stress.

What to Trim:

• Lower leaves: Especially if they are yellowing or shaded.
• Suckers: These are shoots between the main stem and branches (common in tomatoes).
• Dead/Diseased material: Always remove these immediately.
• Overlapping leaves: Thin out dense areas to improve airflow.

Tools & Hygiene

• Sharp pruning shears or scissors.
• Sterilise with alcohol before/after use to prevent disease.
• Dispose of trimmed material away from the grow area.

Trimming by Plant Type

Lettuce, Spinach, Herbs (e.g., Basil)

• Harvest outer leaves first.
• Regular light trimming encourages bushier growth.

Tomatoes, Peppers

• Remove suckers regularly.
• Trim bottom 6–12 inches of leaves for airflow.
• Prune side branches during early flowering.

Cucumbers

• Limit to 1–2 main vines.
• Remove early flowers and lateral shoots to encourage vine growth.

Tips & Cautions

• Don’t over-trim—plants need leaves for photosynthesis.
• Always trim above a node (leaf joint) to encourage regrowth.
• Monitor plant response; if stress signs appear, slow down pruning.

Fancy a bit of guidance tailored to a specific crop? Give us a call or nip into the shop for a few tips!