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NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

Four of my six delicious tomato plants have the same problem. The bottom branch, not leaves, have seemed to have just shriveled up and dropped off. Any clue what it could be? Thanks in advance.

5/7/2006 9:15:28 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

hmmm Frost or disease.

5/7/2006 9:58:39 AM

NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

They have not been outside yet so that pretty much eliminates the frost. But thanks for the answer.

5/7/2006 10:33:26 AM

more info needed,,how tall are the plants?,,how many times have they been repotted? what kind of light are they in?,,how wet are you keeping the medium/soil?,,how old are they at this point?,, I would make some suggestions, but these things are important to know at this point.

5/7/2006 10:51:24 AM

NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

Unkadan I planted the seeds on March 11th and all the plants have been transplanted once and are not rootbound. They range from 8" to 12" high. I am trying to keep the medium moist but the one that I had used in the beginning did not hold the moisture very well but I could not remove it from the plants. They all seem to be enjoying the moisture now. They are all in a south window in the house. I rotate them every evening to attempt to give them their fair share of prime window space. Thanks.

5/7/2006 12:34:08 PM

cripes, lower growth can drop for a ton of reasons. insects, disease, bad watering practices, nutrient deficiencies, you name it.

5/7/2006 1:06:33 PM

Brig is right on with her comments, you should notice insects inside the house(look carefully), disease usually evidences itself in discoloration (yellowing)and it sounds like you have a handle on the moisture(letting them get to the point where the pots are dry on top b4 adding more and hopefully the pots have drain holes).
I would say with plants this age and height some diluted ferts and hormone/vitamin solution should be added to the watering schedule,,possibly weak "tea" as well and gettum in the garden as soon as possible.
If you don't already,,lay them sideways in the planting hole and cover them to the first set of good leaves. They do straighten and root along any buried stem.

5/7/2006 3:33:45 PM

NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

Thanks for all the comments. Helps a lot. I may have a handle on the moisture now but it was not like that with the first medium that I used. Maybe that could be the problem I dunno. It is not insects rest assured. Possible disease. Maybe a lack of water maybe disease because of water problems I had initially. Yes the pots have drainholes. I will add ferts or vitamin solution. Good idea. As for planting them I always lay them down as you said. My father showed that to me many years ago. Anyway, thanks for all the help. Much appreciated. Good luck growing this year. Hope your gardens ar bountiful and the big ones are the biggest.

5/7/2006 5:49:24 PM

Coolville, OH

Not sure what might be causing your branches to drop. If you haven't set them out yet, I wouldn't worry too much. When you plant them out in the patch, just plant them deep - up to the remaining leaves. They should be fine.
I actually snip off the bottom 1/3 to 2/3 of all my tomato branches before I plant. It doesn't seem to hurt, and does seem to help, my overall yields later on.

5/17/2006 4:18:24 PM

New Brunswick

I just read this (other) post. Since your plants are inside, you probably do not have any disease or insect problem. More apt to be watering problems. But I was watching "Live at five" on tv the other night and the guy on there stripped most of the bottom leaves off the plant and then laid it down and buried it up to the top few leaves. So it seems as if you don't need the bottom leaves anyhow.

5/22/2006 9:57:34 AM