[greenhead]

Hi All,

Just inspected my tomato's Noticed one plant has a 'dark' area halfway up the main stem.  Any Idea what it is?

Will I lose the top half of the plant?

Mike.

[Growster...]

Sorry to say GH, that you have some late blight here...

The plants suffer very quickly, so if you can, gather the green toms, even wash them, then put them somewhere safe and well away from the plants. Late blight is devastatingly prevalent at the moment, everyone is getting it, so fingers crossed, you may get your crop to ripen in a cardboard box or spare drawer if you can get them  away safely a.s.a.p.!

Chuck the affected plants away, and nowhere near any other veg you're growing, like spuds etc. Bag 'em up and see them off!

It's been a rotten year for tom growers, we're all getting it, so you're among friends!

[JayG]

Tomato plants can drive you mad with the sheer variety of the blotches and streaks on both leaves and stems they sometimes display, which are often fairly harmless.

Agree with Growster on this one though (and with his recommendations.)

[greenhead]

Thankyou, dig up the whole plant or cut back to healthy growth?

Mike.

[Growster...]

Thankyou, dig up the whole plant or cut back to healthy growth?

Mike.

Mike, you could try to cut the plants back, of course, if there are trusses on the 'good' bit, and I've done this in the past, but you'll still need to watch the tom plants like a hawk until it's clear that they're surviving!

That stem looks well-affected to me, so take all the fruit above it for a start!

You'll hopefully be able to use them, but check each tom for any signs of blight before you store them. They'll have blackened patches, rather like the stems, and if you find one in storage, get it out immediately and chuck it as far as you  can (preferably not next door)!

[greenhead]

Thankyou Growster and JayG,  will follow your advice.

Mike.