Tomato plant help

bird-watcher · July 30, 2008

Hi ,
My name is Jean and I am a new member to this forum. I am a newbie with growing tomatoes. I have a slight problem and I was hoping some of you experts out there could help me. We just had some pretty high winds here in my zone 4b/5a yard. I have my tomato plants staked but obviously not well enough. My problem is , one of the plants split right at the base. Half of the plant is hanging on the ground. Is there any hope of wrapping this plant with anything and saving it or should I just cut half of it off and call it a big newbie mistake. Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
Jean

amideutch · July 30, 2008

Jean, welcome to Tomatoville. A diverse group we are with members from all over the world.
Did the plant actually separate at the base or did it bend at the base and the plant fell over? If it bent restake the plant and secure it to the support at several locations to keep movement of the plant to a minimum. With any luck in a few weeks it should be OK. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Ami

bird-watcher · July 30, 2008

The plant actually split at the base. I have it growing in an earth box. There is a huge noticeable crack at the base. Thank-you for the welcome.
Jean

bird-watcher · July 30, 2008

I meant to say a huge split at the base instead of a crack. The plant literally looks like it slit into two.
Jean

Worth1 · July 30, 2008

Just give it some support and it will grow out of it if both splits are still connected to roots.

No big deal as it will heal over in time.

Worth

bird-watcher · July 30, 2008

The splits appear to be still connected to the roots.
Thank-you for the reply. It helps me rest a little easier knowing there is hope for my plant. I was kind of freaking out because there are so many tomatoes ripening on this plant.
Thanks again,
Jean

WVTomatoMan · July 30, 2008

If I understand correctly the plant blew over and there are splits in the main stem, but it isn't broken. If that is indeed the case, stand the plant back up and secure it because you don't want it to just flop back over (you may need help to keep it steady and in place). Then use garden velcro or duct tape to "seal" the splits. Let it heal for a while (about a week or so, maybe more - whenever it looks healed). Remove the velcro/duct tape before it cuts into the stem (the stem is going to expand as the plant gets bigger).

I had this happen to me many years ago and that's what I did and it worked.

Good luck.

Randy

July 30, 2008	#1
bird-watcher Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wisconsin Zone 4b/5a Posts: 14	Tomato plant help Hi , My name is Jean and I am a new member to this forum. I am a newbie with growing tomatoes. I have a slight problem and I was hoping some of you experts out there could help me. We just had some pretty high winds here in my zone 4b/5a yard. I have my tomato plants staked but obviously not well enough. My problem is , one of the plants split right at the base. Half of the plant is hanging on the ground. Is there any hope of wrapping this plant with anything and saving it or should I just cut half of it off and call it a big newbie mistake. Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks, Jean

July 30, 2008	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Jean, welcome to Tomatoville. A diverse group we are with members from all over the world. Did the plant actually separate at the base or did it bend at the base and the plant fell over? If it bent restake the plant and secure it to the support at several locations to keep movement of the plant to a minimum. With any luck in a few weeks it should be OK. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

July 30, 2008	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Just give it some support and it will grow out of it if both splits are still connected to roots. No big deal as it will heal over in time. Worth

July 30, 2008	#7
WVTomatoMan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Virginia - Zone 6 Posts: 594	If I understand correctly the plant blew over and there are splits in the main stem, but it isn't broken. If that is indeed the case, stand the plant back up and secure it because you don't want it to just flop back over (you may need help to keep it steady and in place). Then use garden velcro or duct tape to "seal" the splits. Let it heal for a while (about a week or so, maybe more - whenever it looks healed). Remove the velcro/duct tape before it cuts into the stem (the stem is going to expand as the plant gets bigger). I had this happen to me many years ago and that's what I did and it worked. Good luck. Randy