tomato mutant something terribly wrong

Aphid · May 8, 2012

I have one plant by it's self in a small raised bed.(Amazon Chocolate).

from the start the plant grew amazingly well and had a 3/4" diameter main stem by the time it reached 14" tall.

strangely, the branches all grew heavily downward a couple weeks after transplanting, and the overall growth is somewhat mutated with several large upper branches growing from an almost web-like upper stem.

since the plant has stayed lush green and has blooms and even a tiny tomato I haven't worried too much.

I did have to prune several lower branches because the plant was growing like a tripod and literally pushing the foilage onto the soil.

it seemed to weather the pruning ok and has produced growth, flowers and some pea sized little tomatoes are popping out.
but the downward branch growth continues to push the stems down to the soil line

today I went outside and the plant was laying on it's side.. no signs of foliage or stem disease but something is seriously not right with this plant.

could this be nematodes? I will most likely pull the plant .. but I want to hear from the experts before I do anything...

I can post some photos if needed ..

thanks in advance

May 8, 2012	#1
Aphid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nashville TN zone 6-B Posts: 133	tomato mutant something terribly wrong I have one plant by it's self in a small raised bed.(Amazon Chocolate). from the start the plant grew amazingly well and had a 3/4" diameter main stem by the time it reached 14" tall. strangely, the branches all grew heavily downward a couple weeks after transplanting, and the overall growth is somewhat mutated with several large upper branches growing from an almost web-like upper stem. since the plant has stayed lush green and has blooms and even a tiny tomato I haven't worried too much. I did have to prune several lower branches because the plant was growing like a tripod and literally pushing the foilage onto the soil. it seemed to weather the pruning ok and has produced growth, flowers and some pea sized little tomatoes are popping out. but the downward branch growth continues to push the stems down to the soil line today I went outside and the plant was laying on it's side.. no signs of foliage or stem disease but something is seriously not right with this plant. could this be nematodes? I will most likely pull the plant .. but I want to hear from the experts before I do anything... I can post some photos if needed .. thanks in advance