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What is causing these tomatoes to grow this way? #876093

Asked July 06, 2024, 12:07 PM EDT

I have several tomato plants in my raised-bed garden this year. A few of them are exhibiting a very odd growing habit - the branches and stems are growing in what look like "unnatural" curves and they have a flattened appearance with longitudinal ridges along them. The leaves have an odd appearance as well. There are two that seem to be particularly affected by this. They are Burpee Super Sauce tomatoes - indeterminate. I bought them as seedlings at either a Lowes, Home Depot, or Kroger store, but I do not recall for certain. Most of the garden beds are new this year. They are built from only un-treated lumber, either white pine or cedar. I purchased the garden soil in-bulk from a Keever Creek Farms in Lebanon, Ohio. The man who sold me the soil told me they accept old mulch from landscapers when they do mulch bed cleanups, let the mulch compost for a few years, then mix it in with other compost to create what they sell as garden soil. I am concerned that the soil I purchased is contaminated with old herbicide residue and it is affecting how my tomatoes are growing.

Hamilton County Ohio

Expert Response

Thank you for questions.

Overwatering or underwatering could cause leaf curling on tomato plants.

In addition, it looks like there is a white fuzzy mass on one of the leaves in the first pic which can indicate a fungal issue.

Abnormal growth is a classic symptom caused by many virus diseases. In tomato, there are several virus diseases (e.g. curly top) that cause "twisted" growth especially of the newer, younger leaves. In many cases the curling (twisting) is quite erratic with no particular pattern.

Tomato plants damaged by herbicide will often have twisted growth. Leaves will roll downward. The stems may turn white and may even split. Damage is often more noticeable on new growth. Sometimes the tomato plants can grow out of the damage and produce normally. But if tomato plants are been subjected to a high dose of herbicide, then they may never recover and should be discarded.


Shelley B.  Replied July 09, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT

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