Here in Nebraska all of my tomatoes have the same problem. I also have a Cherokee Purple in the ground that looks like that. I assume that it's probably worse this year because of all of the rain that we've had. I'm still getting enough tomatoes for canning, but not as many as I hoped for.

Here is a link that might be useful: So It Grows - My Gardening Blog

Hello ingenio,

The bumps on the stems are normal, it is where the plant is ready to put out adventitious roots (arising or occurring sporadically or in other than the usual location) should the stem come in contact with moisture containing soil. It may be your tomato's way of telling you it needs something it isn't getting, but nearly all tomatoes have them near the soil line and higher too.

Looking at your photos, I can't tell if you have blight, it's possible but I don't think so, what I can tell is that your plant is stressed. It has leaves that are starting to wilt and showing signs of not having enough water. I suspect the dry ones may be leaves that got beyond the point of no return. That does happen with tomatoes planted in topsy-turvy containers.

What one of the biggest problems with them is that when they get dry, even if you water them, most of the water will run down the sides of the topsy-turvy and out the bottom without really wetting the soil. One way to help really water the soil is to take a gallon container, poke a tiny hole in the bottom and then fill it with water and set it in the top of the planter so that the water trickles out slowly allowing the soil and the plant to absorb more of it before it runs out the bottom.

As for the plant not setting fruit, it is possibly because of the water issue, or could be a combination of factors, including lack of nutrients. Plants that are grown in any kind of container will need feeding more often than plants that are grown in the ground because each time they are watered, the water run off carries away vital nutrients. You can read more about "blossom drop" at the link below.

Hope that helps.

Betsy

Here is a link that might be useful: "Blossom Drop" FAQ

Hi Ingenio,
It has nothing to do with being an heirloom. Cherokee Purple is an indeterminate plant. Indeterminates should not be grown in a Topsy Turvy. They need more root room and water than in a Topsy Turvy. Indeterminates not grown in the ground need a very large pot to do well.
There is no such thing as just blight.
There is Late Blight which cause black lesions and moldy growth. It occurs during cool wet weather. This will kill your plant right quick. There is no slow death with Late Blight. So you do not have that.
There is also Early Blight. Early Blight causes oyster shell type spots on the leaves and yellowing. It occurs during warmer humid weather.
There are also other assorted fungal diseases you can get.
I really don't see anything other than dried up foliage in your photos so I'm agreeing with Betsy that you just have a stressed out plant.
She is also correct that bumps are where roots could form and probably an indicator that your plant needs water.
I wouldn't feel bad that you didn't know about planting an indeterminate in a topsy turvy. I really don't think those things come with instructions telling you to use only determinate or dwarf varieties.
Remy