Stepped Away for a Few Days. What is this?

lapk78 · July 10, 2020

it has been so hot recently here in South TX (triple digits) that I have not ventured outside to visit my tomatoes. It only appears to be on one stem. Any ideas? What can/should I do about it? Thanks.

TomNJ · July 10, 2020

Late blight gives black glossy blotches on the stems and tomatoes similar to that. If it is late blight you will know soon as the entire plant will turn into a crispy critter in a matter of a week or less. Let's hope it is something else!

brownrexx · July 10, 2020

Looks like Early Blight to me.

Oh wait, I didn't notice the brown stuff on the stems. EB does not do that so I don't know.

imp · July 11, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomNJ

Late blight gives black glossy blotches on the stems and tomatoes similar to that. If it is late blight you will know soon as the entire plant will turn into a crispy critter in a matter of a week or less. Let's hope it is something else!

I agree it does look like late blight.

PhilaGardener · July 12, 2020

Unfortunately conditions in many places seem quite conducive to spread this year - lots of rain and humidity here in the midAtlantic.

b54red · July 15, 2020

Looks more like Early Blight to me. Clip off the stems with the yellow and brown leaves and spray the plant with the diluted bleach spray just before dark today. It will slow the spread of either but if it is LB then the plant is probably doomed especially if that is what is causing the stem darkening.

Bill

July 10, 2020	#2
TomNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Floyd VA Posts: 771	Late blight gives black glossy blotches on the stems and tomatoes similar to that. If it is late blight you will know soon as the entire plant will turn into a crispy critter in a matter of a week or less. Let's hope it is something else!

July 10, 2020	#3
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	Looks like Early Blight to me. Oh wait, I didn't notice the brown stuff on the stems. EB does not do that so I don't know.

July 12, 2020	#5
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Unfortunately conditions in many places seem quite conducive to spread this year - lots of rain and humidity here in the midAtlantic.

July 15, 2020	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Looks more like Early Blight to me. Clip off the stems with the yellow and brown leaves and spray the plant with the diluted bleach spray just before dark today. It will slow the spread of either but if it is LB then the plant is probably doomed especially if that is what is causing the stem darkening. Bill