Any idea what this could be?

sprout · May 22, 2012

I just noticed this on my Indian Stripe yesterday. Aside from this brown patch, the plant appears healthy. I had a heck of a time last year with russet mites and psyllids, but this is a new problem. I just applied Excel and Actinovate this morning. Im hoping its not some devastating disease!

sprout · May 22, 2012

Grr! Cant figure out how to attach the darn photo from my phone. Ill have to attempt it later on the desktop. Anyway, based on my panicked internet search, it kind of looks like late blight or fusarium. Its a brown patch, about the size of a nickel on the stem about two inches from soil level.

sprout · May 22, 2012

Okay, let's see if this works...

Mojave · May 22, 2012

It sure looks like late blight.

Crandrew · May 23, 2012

uh oh that looks scary. Sure looks like late blight based on google search.

kath · May 23, 2012

Definitely looks like late blight- check leaves and fruits carefully. I'd google to get some looks at pictures so you'll know for sure. It won't take long if it's late blight.

Worth1 · May 23, 2012

Could be a scar from dragging a hose by it.

Worth

Crandrew · May 23, 2012

they are in CA its probably worm Graffiti.

dpurdy · May 23, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

Could be a scar from dragging a hose by it.

Worth

If there are no other indications that might suggest late blight, I thought the same as Worth. Looks as though the stem got bruised. I've noticed the same or similar scarring when a stem rubs against a post used for staking. If you have any doubts about this issue, take a sample to your local cooperative extension and have an expert look at it. Continue to monitor your plant and watch for any more spreading of the blight. It will only take a few days and you will know if its late blight or something else. Hope it's only a bruise and not late blight. Good luck and hoping that you have a great harvest.
DP

stackhouse_kbtom · May 24, 2012

i don't think thats a bruise.. I slap plants around all the time and have never seen something like that... http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3122.html more stuff on pythium and fusarium

sprout · May 30, 2012

Well, it's been about a week now since i noticed the problem. I have to say I think the "scar" theory is correct. Although the plant isn't growing as vigorously as its neighbors, the foliage and developing fruit are looking good. Incidentally, what I thought to be Indian Stripe now appears to be some sort of plum. Huh...
I'm trying to keep my garden paranoia at bay, as the last couple of years have been a real kick in the pants.
Thanks everyone for the advice, until next time...
Dan

Ray_Der_Phan · May 31, 2012

Take a look at Alternaria stem canker....

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783101311.html

"Alternaria stem canker is primarily a problem of coastal-grown tomatoes in California although the disease occurs occasionally in other areas of the state in fields planted with infested transplants......"

I had 2 plants get taken down from it last year, and my first thought was LB too. But thankfully it wasn't. I still got rid of them ASAP. Didn't want it to spread.

Pic of ASC from last year on Big Beef(which is resistant to ASC)....

May 22, 2012	#1
sprout Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: los gatos, CA Posts: 34	Any idea what this could be? I just noticed this on my Indian Stripe yesterday. Aside from this brown patch, the plant appears healthy. I had a heck of a time last year with russet mites and psyllids, but this is a new problem. I just applied Excel and Actinovate this morning. Im hoping its not some devastating disease!

May 22, 2012	#4
Mojave Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SF Bay area Z9a Posts: 821	It sure looks like late blight. __________________ Bill _______________________________________________ When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. -John Muir Believe those who seek the Truth: Doubt those who find it. -André Gide

May 23, 2012	#5
Crandrew Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: asdf Posts: 1,202	uh oh that looks scary. Sure looks like late blight based on google search.

May 23, 2012	#6
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Definitely looks like late blight- check leaves and fruits carefully. I'd google to get some looks at pictures so you'll know for sure. It won't take long if it's late blight.

May 23, 2012	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Could be a scar from dragging a hose by it. Worth

May 24, 2012	#10
stackhouse_kbtom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: south carolina Posts: 28	i don't think thats a bruise.. I slap plants around all the time and have never seen something like that... http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3122.html more stuff on pythium and fusarium

May 30, 2012	#11
sprout Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: los gatos, CA Posts: 34	Well, it's been about a week now since i noticed the problem. I have to say I think the "scar" theory is correct. Although the plant isn't growing as vigorously as its neighbors, the foliage and developing fruit are looking good. Incidentally, what I thought to be Indian Stripe now appears to be some sort of plum. Huh... I'm trying to keep my garden paranoia at bay, as the last couple of years have been a real kick in the pants. Thanks everyone for the advice, until next time... Dan

May 31, 2012	#12
Ray_Der_Phan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oceanside, CA. Posts: 1	Take a look at Alternaria stem canker.... http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783101311.html "Alternaria stem canker is primarily a problem of coastal-grown tomatoes in California although the disease occurs occasionally in other areas of the state in fields planted with infested transplants......" I had 2 plants get taken down from it last year, and my first thought was LB too. But thankfully it wasn't. I still got rid of them ASAP. Didn't want it to spread. Pic of ASC from last year on Big Beef(which is resistant to ASC)....