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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Squash64 on May 03, 2010, 14:33:47

Title: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Squash64 on May 03, 2010, 14:33:47
I have lots of Minibel tomatoes growing well, apart from two which are a bit strange.  They don't seem to have a growing point, if that makes sense. I took this photo to show what I mean -

[attachment=1]

The plant looks as though it is just a leaf stuck in the compost.

This is what the 'normal' ones look like -

[attachment=2]

I've noticed this in the past with different varieties but never thought of asking here what the reason is.  I'm sure someone here knows....
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: davyw1 on May 03, 2010, 15:01:51
It looks like a blind, no growing tip
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: PAULW on May 03, 2010, 15:17:39
It looks like a potato leaved variety, could you have got some seeds mixed up?
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Squash64 on May 03, 2010, 15:29:16
Quote from: PAULW on May 03, 2010, 15:17:39
It looks like a potato leaved variety, could you have got some seeds mixed up?

I agree it does look like a potato leafed variety but I'm only growing three varieties this year - Minibel, Sungold and Mille Fleur and none of them are potato leafed.
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Squash64 on May 03, 2010, 15:30:00
Quote from: davyw1 on May 03, 2010, 15:01:51
It looks like a blind, no growing tip

Is this common?  I suppose I should just compost it?
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Trevor_D on May 03, 2010, 15:33:14
"No" to the first question. (Well, it happens sometimes.)

And - as you've got lots - "yes" to the second question.
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: cleo on May 03, 2010, 15:40:54
As said-it`s not common but it does happen-it`s `blind`

Compost it
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: PAULW on May 04, 2010, 05:43:49
It could be an odd seed left in the machine from the last batch of tomato seeds that has dropped off when they changed variety, let it grow on and see what you get, dont listen to all them nasty people that want to kill it.
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Squash64 on May 04, 2010, 06:10:21
Quote from: PAULW on May 04, 2010, 05:43:49
It could be an odd seed left in the machine from the last batch of tomato seeds that has dropped off when they changed variety, let it grow on and see what you get, dont listen to all them nasty people that want to kill it.

I think that putting living plants into the compost is just like drowning kittens so I'll do as you suggest and give it a chance.
Mind you, from how it looks now, I might end up with just one enormous leaf!

Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: tim on May 04, 2010, 06:56:46
Amazingly stocky plants, are they not?
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: saddad on May 04, 2010, 07:41:02
Give it a week Betty... if it breaks (produces a growing tip from the leaf joint) you have another plant, if not it probably won't so no use keeping it...  :-\
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: davyw1 on May 04, 2010, 08:00:03
Quote from: saddad on May 04, 2010, 07:41:02
Give it a week Betty... if it breaks (produces a growing tip from the leaf joint) you have another plant, if not it probably won't so no use keeping it...  :-\
I agree
The only way it will grow on is if as Saddad says is if it produces a side chute or a new root from under the compost.
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Squash64 on May 27, 2010, 07:18:09
Update -

I left the 'blind' tomato to see what happened and a new shoot appeared at the base.  The single leaf died off and now the plant looks like all the others.  If I remember I'll take a photo when I go over there today.
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Jeannine on May 28, 2010, 20:06:00
Mercy usually pays off..well done XX Jeannine
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Becca on May 28, 2010, 21:34:43
aww the poor little creature heeh.e    :'(
ive never seen that before, 
Title: Re: What's wrong with this tomato?
Post by: Becca on May 28, 2010, 21:36:39
oops didnt see the last few posts.   maybe it was just a shy tomato plant haha.