Bumps on tomato plant stems, dying plants

16 years ago

There are little bumps on the lower stems of my tomato plants, and the plants are shriveling up and falling over. I asked someone at a garden center and was told its something like transplant shock, but i don't think it is. The problem is on one end of the garden and spreading, but the plants on the other end are perfectly healthy, without any bumps on the stems.

These were started from seed and planted a few weeks ago. Since they were put in the ground, they doubled or tripled in size and seemed very happy, but now they're dying.

Help diagnosing the problem would be very much appreciated.

I took 2 pictures - if you zoom in on the stem you should be able to see the bumps.

Thanks,

Janey

Image link:

Featured Answer

caseyslady43

13 years ago

I purchased a tomato tower which is made to plant tomatoes and other vine crops upside down. I planted cherry tomatoes & added Miracle-Gro planter mix and then planted cilantro. The tomatoes were doing just great & then developed what looks like root primordia & the leaves all curled and the stem broke off right by the opening. Anybody else have any luck, good or bad with the upside down method of planting? I do not believe I over-watered, but we have had a lot of rain in the last two weeks. It did seem like the drainage was good. Could the fertilizer in the Miracle-Gro be a problem? The plants were quite small when I planted them.

Comments (10)

joetomato
16 years ago
I have two tomato plants with the same thing but i grow indoors so i can't imagine anything but transplant shock.
jean001
16 years ago
The bumps are root initials. Not a problem.

Sorry that I can't help with the dying plants.
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amzie
16 years ago
I have the same problem. Why are the root initials coming out of the stem over a foot above ground level? It appears to only be affecting my amish paste tomatoes
digdirt2
16 years ago
Tomato stem primordia may develop all along any tomato stem regardless of its proximity to the ground. Often it is a response to high humidity levels in the air or to excessive watering/rain around the roots. The plant attempts to compensate for the excess moisture around its soil roots by developing more roots. But the root initials themselves are not harmful to the plant. They are normal.

If you have a section of the garden that is showing a greater number of primordia and is also having wilt problems then it is likely that it is too wet there for some reason - poor drainage, too much watering or rain, etc. Diseases are more likely to develop there too.

Remember that roots need air as much as they need water and excessively wet soil deprives them of that needed air. More plants are killed by overwatering than by underwatering so when in doubt - don't water and pray for less rain. ;)

Dave
chris_i
15 years ago
I have the same problem of the root primordia and wilting of the plants due to overwatering. If I stop watering will the tomato plants come back or will they continue to wither and die?

-Chris
playboybones01_aol_com
13 years ago
I grow in pots and have upside down plants as well, all of my tomato plants have this and they are growing just fine ,I did learn not to water as much as I had a case of early blight.... the bumps are fine
LindaSimoneYork_aol_com
12 years ago
I just noticed today the bumps on my tomato plant. It is planted in a topsy turvy and seemed to be doing well. I have been watering it twice a day because, if I don't, it wilts. Seems to need alot of water. I will cut back on the watering and, hopefully, it will take care of the problem.
silver78
12 years ago
my bumps are not just near the bottom Are they still root bumps?

[IMG]http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/silver7885/IMAG0597.jpg[/IMG]
acpracht
11 years ago
Yes, what if the bumps go higher than just the bottom? (Like silver78 asked) Still root bumps?

Ours is in a topsy turvy.