This is my rookie season gardening. I have a couple indeterminate cherry tomato plants that are doing very well. I have pruned them to 2 main stems. I have a dilemma with one.

Which is the sucker and which is the main stem? Left or right? Does it really matter which one I prune?

Hi why not use both ...............

Idk... There are many different theories on the internet. A bunch suggest to keep indeterminate varieties to a max of two main stems. I think cause airflow and just ease of management.

I've no idea what I am doing really so I can't really answer your question. That's why I posted.

By asking me the question are you actually maybe just suggesting to keep both? I believe the amount of periods used insinuates that sort of vague underlying message. Like a sensei guiding the pupil to reach an answer by themselves.

Thank you Sensei.......*bows

I only cut off stems that way out grow my cages.

Keep both. It's not hurting anything but to answer the question the sucker is the little stem smack dab in the middle there. Suckers grow between the stem and a main branch. Whether you pinch or not is up to you.

But in that case the sucker has immediately become a raceme. I concluded that I couldn't actually see a sucker in the photo at all.

@tipson4490, the reason there are so many theories out there is because there are so many gardeners...each one has his/her own way of doing it. In moist or humid climates, air circulation is important for tomatoes, which can be susceptible to assorted mildews and fungal diseases. If you are in an arid climate, thicker growth works fine. You choose your method based on your space limitations, support structures, water availability, pots vs in-ground, and aesthetics. With the indeterminates, not pinching out the suckers, especially at the top, often results in a huge, sprawling mass which can become top-heavy and unmanageable unless you have a large support system. Some people just let them sprawl and are fine with that. Your choice.

raceme. I had to look that up and now I have learned a new word. I really wanted it to be pronounced differently though.... like a challenge.

Thank you all for the responses.

The reason I brought this up is because it was unexpected. I check on the garden 1-2 times a day. I stay on top of pruning. Normally something like this would be the result of me missing a sucker and I can clearly tell which is which.

I had just started using the miracle-gro liquafeed just before this. I wonder if that could have contributed. I feel like maybe it could have made the sucker appear earlier in the normal pattern and the sucker grew right alongside the main. Maybe the left one is the main since it is a bit higher? Idk just rambling now..

Suckers are easy to miss and grow fast. What I'm sensing is that you think you need to know because the sucker is somehow different than the stalk. It's not; it's just another stalk, so it doesn't matter which, if either, you remove.

I think that would depend on what the two stalks look like above what's shown in the photo. If you're determined to remove one, choose the smallest. Otoh, if they both have developing fruit on them, why not leave them them both? More tomatoes!

Thanks for the Generous of you.