What's wrong with these three?

[lakngulf]

I have several tomatoes that are growing better this year than ever. But three plants, put out about the same time as others, have just sat there. They have that splindlely look like they do not get enough sun but they are right in the center of the garden.

The sick tomatoes are in cages. The ones you see in some buckets are some volunteer tomatoes that I just stuck in there.

[tedln]

It could just be the variety. I have three Kelloggs Breakfast tomato plants that absolutely refused to grow over three inches tall while the tomato plants around them had grown to eighteen inches tall. I had read that it is a trait of the Kelloggs Breakfast plant to do that. This past weekend, they started growing and have reached nine inches tall in three days. They will catch the other plants and probably grow larger than them.

If your plants look healthy in all ways but size, I would just give them time and see what they do.

Ted

[gixxerific]

What is the red pot they are in. It looks like a plastic cup to me, could be wrong. If that is the case it is not helping at all.

[TZ -OH6]

The plants are big enough that I don't think it is due to the variety. Even skinny varieties would have filled out a bit more by that size. It looks like nutritional problems, but it would be strange that only a small section of ground would not get fertilized, which leads me to believe something is affecting the roots. Is there any chance that that section of the garden is being overwatered? or the dirt compacted/not tilled, or something underground is tearing up the roots (rodents or grubs)? You could also check for 1/8 to 1/4 inch holes near the bse where stem borers could have gotten into the plant. sawdust like material will be coming out of the hole or there will be a small pile on the ground under the hole.

[lakngulf]

Here is a little more info:

(1) I had trouble with this spot last year. I know you should not plant tomatoes in the same spot, but my garden is so little. For other areas in the garden I brought in new top soil, took the tractor front end loader and removed the exisitng soil and replaced it. I thought I did it a this spot but must not have.

(2) I have always wondered if this was a wet spot. At one point I took a backhoe, dug a deeeeep trench, and laid some wire and irrigation pipe in the trench. It could be that there is some seepage in the trench and it gathers at this point.

(3) All tomatoes in the garden are either Celebrity or Better Boy.. The two near the garden walkway, right next to the sick three, are the same variety.

(4) Last year was a tough year to keep tomatoes alive. One possibilty was the stalk borer. That is why I have the tomatoes in the red coffee can. The bottom is cut out, and slid over the tomato. All tomatoes in the garden have either a red coffee can, or part of a milk carton around them.

(5) I cannot decide whether to dig the three up, and plant someting else, like maybe okra, or just let them grow. I have plenty of tomatoes so I probably will give them another week and then plant something else.

[gixxerific]

I had some tomatoes a while back that I thought for sure were on there last leg. I left them alone and pulled off the nastier leaves. They are coming back they are not going gang busters or anything but they have made an incredible turn around. The weather has been not so perfect or I think they would be doing better.

Maybe give them a chance unless you really don't need them. But they may come back. I'm hoping that my stunted plants will start growing like mad come summer and give more late fruit than my other tom's that are doing better now.

[TZ -OH6]

If the spot has alwyas been bad, something nasty might have gotten spilled there before you moved in, and you might want to have it tested for your own safety. It sounds like you pay enough attention to it that you would noticed if it was continuously soggy.

[lakngulf]

I will post some more pictures of the weak plants, maybe this weekend, but this is the current update.

(1) I was removing the cages from the plants because I have some healthier plants that could use the cages, and I noticed the plants appeared healthy, new growth coming from near the soil.

(2) I pulled out the metal post that was used to hold the cages in space, and the bottom of it brought out lots of wet mud.

(3) I pulled the plastic protectors up on each plant so more of the upper stem contacted new soil, and I piled up more soil around the plant.

(4) It was time to thin the okra, and I hate throwing any plants away. So I carefully dug out some okra plants and put them alongside the weak tomato plants. They will compete; space goes to the winner. Actually the weak tomato plants have a few tomatoes on them, so I will let them mature (if they will) and then give over the space to the okra if it survives in the suspect area.

(5) Area will be totally dug out with a front end loader bucket this winter, and the whole area of the garden will get 6 - 10 inches of new top soil placed on top.

[farmerlon]

(2) I pulled out the metal post that was used to hold the cages in space, and the bottom of it brought out lots of wet mud.

That could be the problem right there... too wet/soggy at that patch of ground.
You know your garden better than anybody else. But, from what I am reading in this thread, I would be tempted to just make a Raised Bed at that spot. The improved drainage offer by a raised bed might be all that's needed. If that works, I think that would be a lot easier (and more practical) than trying to dig/move/replace a lot of soil.

Whatever cure you decide to try... good luck!

[lakngulf]

Well, I transplanted the okra to alongside the three "slow" tomatoes. The tomatoes have some fruit, still show life, but are just begging to be pulled.

Here is an updated photo




And, YES, I do need to do some weeding in my garden, but life has just been too busy. Two grandsons coming this weekend (5yr and 2yr). Think I should turn them loose on those weeds?

[tedln]

And, YES, I do need to do some weeding in my garden, but life has just been too busy. Two grandsons coming this weekend (5yr and 2yr). Think I should turn them loose on those weeds?

Not unless you also want all your cucumbers, squash, and good tomatoes pulled as well.

Ted