Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 15
|
![]()
I've been growing a Brandywine OTV tomato plant (maturation 72 days). At 40 days (no blossoms yet) a deer decided to make a meal of the plant. About half the leaves were stripped off. A third of the stems were also chewed on, not completely chewed off. The main root stem was untouched. Is it still possible for the plant to grow and bear tomatoes? If so, anything I can do to help the process?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 603
|
![]() Quote:
To help it along...venison burgers. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 985
|
![]() Quote:
Sorry to hear that. I have had that happen and the plant recovered. As long as there are enough leaves for photosynthesis to occur, I think it should be fine. Just make sure to protect against further damage. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 15
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 15
|
![]() Quote:
The stems that are partially chewed off, will they continue to grow out or should I cut them off? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 985
|
![]()
Not seeing the plant, I am guessing these are branches off the main stem, which is still intact. I would probably prune them off, just allowing the energy to go into the main stem. You will get more side branches anyway. I'd certainly do it if they had been greatly chewed.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 985
|
![]()
By the way, I've had this happen with other veggies; fortunately there has always been enough left that the plant kept on growing. I am thinking about my sugar snap peas from a few years ago; the deer grazed the tops right off, but they eventually recovered and I eventually did get a crop.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 603
|
![]()
I've had deer trim tomatoes to 'fit'...everything sticking out of a tomato cage was eaten. And they kept coming back...every time the plants started making progress, chomp--chomp.
A little red wine, some chanterelle mushrooms and garlic all helped deal with the main culprit that year. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|