Subject: Container gallery
I called it "stem borer" but it seems the proper name is "stalk borer"applestar wrote:Thanks.![]()
Yes, the little pots are just waiting around for their permanent beds to be prepared.even at this size, they are constantly harassed by cabbageworms, and it's easier to pick them up and inspect.
I found a photo I took of the tomato stem borer damage:
This is a Yellow Bell tomato planted in the ground. It's actually still producing fruits in spite of the borer.
![Arrow :arrow:](./images/smilies/icon_arrow.gif)
...this link is broken...
![Arrow :arrow:](./images/smilies/icon_arrow.gif)
https://extension.psu.edu/stalk-borer
Today, I noticed my Rosella Purple dwarf tomato with a brown mush leading shoot. The next leaf down looked good but it's petiole was turning brown and mushy. It was growing a healthy looking side shoot from a few nodes down, so I thought I'd prune the main stalk down to that node and see if it will recover.
But the stalk was hollow where I cut it. Noticing a black interior streak, I cut a little further down -- still hollow... and down -- still hollow... The stem was hollow all the way down to about 1/2" above the soil level. ...my poor Rosella Purple.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Image](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14310511029_e4f5eda16d_c.jpg)
...then I noticed a similar damage on a skinny potato stalk. This time. I was able to track the culprit down.