I bought a 4-Pack of "Big Beef" toms that were 4"-5" at the local garden shop and potted them immediately when I got home. The next day 2 of them began yellowing and wilting while the other 2 stayed strong and green.

I found the wilted ones had a 3/4"-1" hollow spot in the stem right at the soil line. I read that Fusarium starts in the roots and travels up the stem but the roots look good as far as I can tell.

There was white stuff in the stem that looks like fungus to me but I've only been gardening a couple of years so I don't really know.

I've heard of "damping off". Is that a disease or is it too "damp"? Is this a fungus?

The other 2 from the 4-pack are doing wonderfully now 15 days later and I've been hardening them for the garden for the last 4-5 days. Should I do anything to protect them from the same fate or would they be safe now?

Thanks for your help. This site has been a god-send to a novice such as myself!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Autopsy