Bent Branch What to do?

AlittleSalt · June 30, 2015

In the pictures below, you can see what looks to be a completely broken branch (Main stalk). If I remove the wires holding it upright - the plant will topple to the ground. The upper section is green so I'm thinking there is hope for it.

It is a Sungold that I started from a cutting caused by storm damage. This plant isn't important to me, but I would like to use this plant as a "How-to-Fix-it" type learning experience. I'm thinking to keep the wires holding it up and possibly using a stretchy fabric type tape on the bent part? The bent part is about an inch from the bottom of the second picture.

You can sure tell how wet it has been here by the plant wanting to grow roots by the bent part.

Any ideas?

Labradors2 · June 30, 2015

I would splint it using a stick and masking tape, but vet wrap would work too. Should be an interesting experiment. Do keep us posted!

Linda

digsdirt · June 30, 2015

It looks a lot more than "bent".

I suppose you can try splinting it but personally I would cut it off and root it for another plant.

Dave

TexasTycoon · June 30, 2015

I'd try splinting and wrapping with masking tape. Tomatoes are very resilient, and you might be surprised what they can overcome!

habitat_gardener · June 30, 2015

I've successfully splinted broken branches, using whatever I had in the garden at the time.

Or you could prop a pot with some potting mix under it and let it root into the pot. Or wrap some growing media around the injury and let it grow roots before cutting it off (called air layering). I've had branches that touched the ground and grew roots.

Cutting it off and rooting it is another option, if you have a place for it. (I grew lots of tomatoes from seed this year and kept them in the greenhouse too long, waiting for my planting beds to be ready. As a result, some of them got powdery mildew. I removed leaves, cut above the damaged parts of the stem, and rerooted a few varieties. So far they're doing ok, but now I've started spraying with neem if I see a spot of mold. Tomatoes are quick and resilient!)

AlittleSalt · June 30, 2015

I think I'll do both. After all, you can never have too many Sungold plants. I've never splinted a tomato plant.

The plant is already a clone. I have much larger Sungold plants to get cuttings from. Thanks for the idea Dave.

Gardeneer · July 1, 2015

I would put 3 bamboo sticks next to the stem and wrap over them with cheese cloth or nylon tulle.
The wound is healing itself. Just give it some support.
I would also tie/secure the upper portion to a stake.

Gardeneer

June 30, 2015	#3
digsdirt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: No.Central Arkansas - 6b/7a Posts: 179	It looks a lot more than "bent". I suppose you can try splinting it but personally I would cut it off and root it for another plant. Dave __________________ Dave

June 30, 2015	#4
TexasTycoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Round Rock, TX, Zone 8b Posts: 1,157	I'd try splinting and wrapping with masking tape. Tomatoes are very resilient, and you might be surprised what they can overcome! __________________ -Kelly "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn Bloom where you are planted.

June 30, 2015	#5
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	I've successfully splinted broken branches, using whatever I had in the garden at the time. Or you could prop a pot with some potting mix under it and let it root into the pot. Or wrap some growing media around the injury and let it grow roots before cutting it off (called air layering). I've had branches that touched the ground and grew roots. Cutting it off and rooting it is another option, if you have a place for it. (I grew lots of tomatoes from seed this year and kept them in the greenhouse too long, waiting for my planting beds to be ready. As a result, some of them got powdery mildew. I removed leaves, cut above the damaged parts of the stem, and rerooted a few varieties. So far they're doing ok, but now I've started spraying with neem if I see a spot of mold. Tomatoes are quick and resilient!) Last edited by habitat_gardener; June 30, 2015 at 05:58 PM.

June 30, 2015	#2
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,895	I would splint it using a stick and masking tape, but vet wrap would work too. Should be an interesting experiment. Do keep us posted! Linda

June 30, 2015	#6
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I think I'll do both. After all, you can never have too many Sungold plants. I've never splinted a tomato plant. The plant is already a clone. I have much larger Sungold plants to get cuttings from. Thanks for the idea Dave.

July 1, 2015	#7
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	I would put 3 bamboo sticks next to the stem and wrap over them with cheese cloth or nylon tulle. The wound is healing itself. Just give it some support. I would also tie/secure the upper portion to a stake. Gardeneer