Broken Tomato Stems. What should I do?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Last night we had some terrible winds and it broke a lot of my 3ft tomato plants. Most of them had flowers growing so I am really bummed about it. I cut off a few of them because they were hanging by a thread, one was still connected all the way around, just torn up so I splinted him and left it there. I took one of the tops I cut off and put it in some water. What I'd like to know is will the stem I put in water grow new roots? If it will, what can I do to increase its chances? Should I amazon prime some rooting hormone or rush off to some store tomorrow to help it out? Right now I brought it inside because I remember vaguely reading that rooting plants should be taken to a darker area (aka my nice low heat room) It is extremely hot outside right now (south texas heat like 90F) and I saw that anything that had any kind of broken piece was now wilted to the point of almost being dry. The one I splinted a few hours ago isn't doing that well (it looks wilted on the top area and ends) but I am hoping it will pick up in the night. I also wanted to know, what will happen to all my tomatoes who have lost 1-1.5ft of their tops? Will stems shoot out from the sides and grow up that way? Will they be able to flower again after an adjustment period?

Featured Answer

Labradors

10 years ago

Sorry to hear about the storm and all the damage.

Yes, they will root very nicely in water. Trim off any stems/leaves that are sitting in the water as you don't want them to rot and smell. You should probably remove the flowers too, unfortunately.

The bottom parts that are in the ground will put out new branches and flower as normal (just a bit later than their companions), so no worries there.

For the splinted one, you could wrap it with masking tape or electrical tape. It might come back in the morning, and would probably appreciate some shade if you can rig something up. If not, even if it is badly wilted in the morning, you could cut it off and pop it in a bucket of water to revive it, then put it in a vase to root with the others.

Something that helps with is Willow which acts as a root stimulant. If you have access to any, you could cut small branches and pop one in with each tomato plant, but you probably don't need it because tomatoes are so keen to push out more roots along their stems.

Linda

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Comments (8)

qaguy
10 years ago
What I'd like to know is will the stem I put in water grow new roots?

YES. Or you could stick it in the garden and, as Carolyn has said many times 'build a wee moat' around the stem and keep it moist.

I also wanted to know, what will happen to all my tomatoes who have lost 1-1.5ft of their tops? Will stems shoot out from the sides and grow up that way? Will they be able to flower again after an adjustment period?

YES and YES. Look where the leaves attach to the stems. New growth will start from there.
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX) thanked qaguy
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Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
10 years ago
Also the broken tomatoes should have a chance to re grow.

Sey
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX) thanked Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX)
Original Author
10 years ago
That's great to hear guys! Glad to know my tomatoes will still grow tall and fruitful. Right now I have the stem that's in water in my room under my lamp I use for my indoor plants (orchids, peace lily. Etc.) But I was wondering, when do I take it outside and put it in dirt?
janice8bcharlestonsc
10 years ago
It should be ready to go back out when you see some root fibers and the top looks healthy(gaining sustenance from the new roots). I would wait for a cloudy day or two if possible, rig a shade, and plan on hardening out "in place". You will need to take the shade to the plant.
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX) thanked janice8bcharlestonsc
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX)
Original Author
10 years ago
Hey guys. I checked the stem today and the bottom has so strange clear parts. It reminds me when I try to root the tops of lucky bamboo but those usually die...

Should I do anything to it? Should I switch it from water to dirt?

Sorry my room is a chaos of clutter.
zzackey
10 years ago
Most summers I stick tomato suckers in a pot of soil and they grow like crazy. I never tried one in a vase of water. Your plants should recover and branch out where ever they got topped by the storm. It's going to take a few weeks for them to recover from the shock.
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX) thanked zzackey
digdirt2
10 years ago
Agree with zackey - they root just as well in moist potting mix/soil as they do in water. If you want more details just type

rooting cuttings in the search box for this forum. it is a common practice. As for your photo, normal, no problem there.

Dave
Aerilaya (8b-9a SouthTX) thanked digdirt2