What causes a twisty stem?

peebee · April 21, 2017

You know what I mean without posting a pic, as it is not that uncommon. Every once in a while, I'll get a seedling with a twisted or curved stem. I'm growing one out now as it was the only Kelloggs Breakfast I had left after giving the rest away, and geez it is one unruly plant. It's only about 2 ft tall now but I finally decided to attempt to straighten it a bit by tying it to a stake. It didn't like that one bit. Anyone else ever grow such a crooked tomato? Will it straighten up later?
Just wondering what causes this.

**carolyn137** · April 21, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee

You know what I mean without posting a pic, as it is not that uncommon. Every once in a while, I'll get a seedling with a twisted or curved stem. I'm growing one out now as it was the only Kelloggs Breakfast I had left after giving the rest away, and geez it is one unruly plant. It's only about 2 ft tall now but I finally decided to attempt to straighten it a bit by tying it to a stake. It didn't like that one bit. Anyone else ever grow such a crooked tomato? Will it straighten up later?
Just wondering what causes this.

Yes, I've grown twisted stem ones before. I think it happens when one side of the stem grows faster than the other side and whether that would be due to a somatic mutation,well, it's a possibility.

No,I never tried to tie such plants to as stake,sheesh,you'd need a professional orthopaedic surgeon with an interst in tomatoes to do that.

And my own ortho would be one of them.

Carolyn

Hoosier · April 21, 2017

I've had a few of those and I usually just toss them. I kept them for awhile at times and it doesn't ever seem to get better. If it's your only one I guess you can try to see what you can get out of it. I have never kept them to the fruiting stage. Glad Carolyn commentated and added some credence to my suspicions that it is some kind of genetic problem. I have went round with some who say it is herbicide damage when they have not been outside and hundreds of others are just fine.

Worth1 · April 21, 2017

Never even seen one.

Deborah · April 21, 2017

I'd love to see a picture.

April 21, 2017	#1
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	What causes a twisty stem? You know what I mean without posting a pic, as it is not that uncommon. Every once in a while, I'll get a seedling with a twisted or curved stem. I'm growing one out now as it was the only Kelloggs Breakfast I had left after giving the rest away, and geez it is one unruly plant. It's only about 2 ft tall now but I finally decided to attempt to straighten it a bit by tying it to a stake. It didn't like that one bit. Anyone else ever grow such a crooked tomato? Will it straighten up later? Just wondering what causes this.

April 21, 2017	#5
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	I'd love to see a picture. __________________ "The righteous one cares for the needs of his animal". Proverbs 12:10

April 21, 2017	#3
Hoosier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 97	I've had a few of those and I usually just toss them. I kept them for awhile at times and it doesn't ever seem to get better. If it's your only one I guess you can try to see what you can get out of it. I have never kept them to the fruiting stage. Glad Carolyn commentated and added some credence to my suspicions that it is some kind of genetic problem. I have went round with some who say it is herbicide damage when they have not been outside and hundreds of others are just fine.

April 21, 2017	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Never even seen one.