Stem splitting open

Farmette · July 2, 2012

Like alot of places in the US, we've had day after day of temps in the mid 80's to high 90's. Have kept up a watering schedule with the tomatoes, but noticed a few of them have stems that have opened up vertically. In one case, there are very small round green fleshlike things (smaller than a BB) visible. In each case, the rest of the plant looks fine. Do you think this is from the excessive heat or is it a disease? I've looked at the tomato problem solver links, but am still without a clue.

Al@NC · July 3, 2012

Out of roughly 14 tomato plants I have this same problem on one of my tomatoes! I have a split stem and it made me worry, but so far it's just the one that I can tell.

I'm new at this but I'm assuming it's the heat and not disease. Anyone else experiencing this or know what we can do to prevent it?

JamesL · July 3, 2012

Split stems - if the plant hasn't been knocked over - yes most likely water and weather related. Tomatoes themselves will split open with too much water, the stems can do the same thing.
Not a major concern, but tape them so they can heal or at least harden and keep the nasties out. I use this green tape, green stretch tie tape-
http://www.ghorganics.com/Garden_Tape_All_Purpose.html

Watering less per time and maybe 2 or 3 times a day might help. (not always possible of course)

Green / whitish bumps - usually not a issue. (I have them too) Basically ingrown hairs that would form roots if buried.
Also called tomato primordia - See here - http://www.veggiegardener.com/tomato...s-bumpy-stems/
The problem is often related to excess moisture in the soil or it’s a response to high humidity levels. The plant attempts to compensate for excess moisture in the soil by developing more roots. The bumps or root initials themselves are not harmful to the plant, but the excess soil moisture can lead to root rot or other root diseases.

July 2, 2012	#1
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Stem splitting open Like alot of places in the US, we've had day after day of temps in the mid 80's to high 90's. Have kept up a watering schedule with the tomatoes, but noticed a few of them have stems that have opened up vertically. In one case, there are very small round green fleshlike things (smaller than a BB) visible. In each case, the rest of the plant looks fine. Do you think this is from the excessive heat or is it a disease? I've looked at the tomato problem solver links, but am still without a clue.

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July 3, 2012	#2
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	Out of roughly 14 tomato plants I have this same problem on one of my tomatoes! I have a split stem and it made me worry, but so far it's just the one that I can tell. I'm new at this but I'm assuming it's the heat and not disease. Anyone else experiencing this or know what we can do to prevent it?

July 3, 2012	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Split stems - if the plant hasn't been knocked over - yes most likely water and weather related. Tomatoes themselves will split open with too much water, the stems can do the same thing. Not a major concern, but tape them so they can heal or at least harden and keep the nasties out. I use this green tape, green stretch tie tape- http://www.ghorganics.com/Garden_Tape_All_Purpose.html Watering less per time and maybe 2 or 3 times a day might help. (not always possible of course) Green / whitish bumps - usually not a issue. (I have them too) Basically ingrown hairs that would form roots if buried. Also called tomato primordia - See here - http://www.veggiegardener.com/tomato...s-bumpy-stems/ The problem is often related to excess moisture in the soil or it’s a response to high humidity levels. The plant attempts to compensate for excess moisture in the soil by developing more roots. The bumps or root initials themselves are not harmful to the plant, but the excess soil moisture can lead to root rot or other root diseases.