If so, then you may be a natural tomato pruner. Tie stems to stake with soft string, twine or cloth, forming a figure-8 with the stem in one loop and the stake in the other. Pruning tomato plants is an optional technique that some gardeners use to keep plants tidy, manipulate fruit size, and even speed ripening. However if left to its own devices without any pruning it will still produce fruits but slightly smaller and later in the season. Prune tomatoes to one or two vigorous stems by snapping off "suckers" (stems growing from where leaf stems meet the main stem) when they are 2 to 4 inches long. Black Russian however really does need to be pruned correctly to get a decent crop. The deep red-purple, almost black, green-shouldered variety of tomatoes known as "Black Krim" (Solanum lycopersicum) originated in Krim, Russia, near the Black Sea. Transplant out stocky 8 to 10” tall plants. The Black Russian tomato ranks highly on the X-factor scale due to it's unique colour and performance in cool conditions. There seem to be few subjects which cause amateur gardeners as many problems as pruning tomato plants. Requires bottom heat for good germination. Pot up to 3-4” pots when first true leaves develop, bury to first leaves. Gradually harden off in full sun 1–2 weeks before transplanting after last frost. Solanum lycopersicum## HOW TO GROW TOMATO Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost, plant out 1–2 weeks after last frost. There is one big catch: You should only prune indeterminate varieties, which produce new leaves and flowers continuously through the growing season. As a heirloom variety extra points must be awarded due to ease of seed collection directly from the tomato without having to re-buy. Black Russian is grown as a cordon type tomato and produces the best tomatoes when grown that way.