damaged tomato

[moggssue]

Hi again folks - one of my tomato plants has been damaged (presumably in the awful weather) - the main stalk is broken and bent at 90degrees but still intact, just. Should I give it lots of tlc and try to retie it to the bamboo cane, or is it not worth the effort? It hasnt started flowering yet, do you think it's likely to?! I dont want to lose one of my babies but dont want to waste time on it either when there are another 7 on the go as well.

[TEB]

so the main stem hasnt snapped off, I used some bandage tape on a borlotto plant about 2 weeks ago that had broken but not right off and it is going great guns

[moggssue]

I'll give that a go then and not give up on my poor plant just yet - keep your fingers crossed for it!

[Flummery]

If that doesn't work, let a side-shoot develop and allow that to be the new leader. Good luck!

[Alice]

I wouldn't give up on it - if you tie it up it will probably be fine, and if not, as Flummery says, one of the side shoots will take over as a leader. Good luck.

[moggssue]

I've just taken the side shoots off - hopefully another one will grow if the main shoot doesnt! Thanks both, I'll report back and let you know how it gets on.

[Flummery]

Oh believe me, more side shoots will come! It's a permanent summer job keeping up with them!

[bramble]

Make a splint of two ice lolly sticks and then bandage it up. It should be fine.

[dexterdoglancashire]

oopz! have to confess when I moved my tomato plants the other day I did snap off the main shoot of one of them! am well chuffed that the other shoot is now doing fine and the other lost bit hasnt made any difference! Result! Bernie

[shirlthegirl43]

Stick any big broken off bits into soil and they often root and you get another plant

[willowstar]

I once snapped off the growning stem of every single tomato (about 20) I had sown when they were about 8 inches tall - on the advice of a friend who had heard you were supposed to snap something off tomato plants!!!! Anyway, they all recovered and gave me a good crop, so you will be fine with your little one.

[Sue]

Shirl
I did what you suggest when the cat jumped on my tomato plants and broke some of them in half. The foliage looked horribly wilted for a week but gradually started to perk up and now they're looking dandy and the original stem or "stick" is shooting too. So got two tomato plants instead of one!
Magic
Sue

[Flummery]

If you leave it a little late (i.e. missed one!) to snap off a side shoot and it leaves a scar, the place heals over very quickly. They're very accommodating plants really. AND they taste great!

[moggssue]

Thanks all for your advice and encouragement. The poorly plant is now splinted and bandaged and doesnt seem to be any the worse for its experience. It even has the first, ever so tiny, flower bud (at least I THINK it's a flower bud!). Can't wait for the first toms ....!!

[Cutecumber]

I think it will be able to repair itself with your help.

Even totally cut stems can heal if you bind them quickly - the join seals up most successfully in my experience.

Not worth doing if you grow dozens of plants, but it is for your pride and joy!