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Need tomato diagnosis - brown stem with Pic

Posted by johnny_lee Austin, TX (My Page) on
Fri, Jul 11, 08 at 2:10

First time tomato grower and just noticed that my tomato plants (big beef) aren't looking to swell. The main stems on all the plants and older branches are starting to turn speckled brown. They been in the ground since march and I've harvested 1 batch of tomatoes. The 2nd set is on the vine now. Temps have been a steady 90~100 deg and I have a soaker hose set to water for 60 min twice a day. They are in raised boxes with primarly bagged soil for lowes. My main concern issome sort of fungus/wilt that will ruin the soil and affect the peppers near by. Let me know what yall think. Thanks

Image link: Need tomato diagnosis - brown stem with Pic (61 k)


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Need tomato diagnosis - brown stem with Pic

Sounds like it could be some root rot- too much water/poor drainage? At least, this is what happened to my pumpkin vine and I called the county ag. extension and they said that it sounded like the plant had been in the ground too wet- I also have them in raised beds with mixed soil.
Before you turn on the soaker hose, stick your finger as far as it will reach into the soil just to see if only the top is dry and in fact there is moisture left farther down.
good luck,
christy


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RE: Need tomato diagnosis - brown stem with Pic

thanks Christy for the feed back. I'm pretty sure your are correct about the watering. I stuck my finger down 5-6 inches down and the soil was a soggy muck. I think I should have dug the hole deeper to help the drainage out since the natural soil is clay. I've changed my water settings and will post a follow up with the results.


 
 

 

 


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