Broken Tomato Branches

Rob C 7/17/2012, 12:42 pm

We had a pretty heavy thunderstorm late Sunday night. When I checked the garden yesterday after work, one of the branches on a tomato plant had snapped most of the way off the main stem. It has 5 good sized tomatoes which are still green. Should I pick them now and let them ripen on the window sill or leave them on the vine? Thanks

quiltbea 7/17/2012, 12:50 pm

I don't know if taping them will help or not. I accidently banged my hand into a branch and almost broke it off when I was suckering one day, and it was one with a half dozen nice greening Sausage tomatoes. I taped it with waterproof bandage tape and then tied the end of the branch to the stake to keep it from moving too much. I'm crossing my fingers that those fruits get enough energy thru the stem to ripen. It may not work, but I won't know til I try.
Good luck with yours.
Broken Tomato Branches 07-08-11

You can just see the white tape in the lower middle of the photo. I'll try to get a better picture next time.

quiltbea 7/18/2012, 1:02 pm

I promised an update on bandaging a broken branch. Taken today, July 18th.

Broken Tomato Branches 07-18-23

The branch is still holding with the waterproof bandaging tape. The ones involved are the ones on the left of my hand and the 2 on the right of my finger. All are still doing OK. I hope they keep going with the tape to help. Unfortunately the wind knocked the branch a bit sideways and dislodged the taped area but I re-formed it. One can only try.

Rob C 7/19/2012, 12:15 pm

Thanks for the follow-up. I decided to take the tomatoes off since the branch was almost totally separated. I put them on the back porch and will see what happens.

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