[tomato] Update: One wilting tomato plant
ChuckWyatt/Md/Z7 (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Sat, 13 Jun 1998 12:21:02 -0400
Hi Pat,
>>I don't expect this plant will ever now catch up to the others, but it
will be interesting to see what happens to it in the long run.<< You are
right if you leave things as they are. The retarded root system will never
completely catch up with the others. How would you like to have that plant
actually bypass the rest?
First, pluck up your courage and dig up the affected plant. Do it gently
so as not to lose any more root. You will find a smallish root ball. Now
dig a trench six or eight inches high and line it with compost, peat moss
or a mixture of both. It might be a good idea to mix in some high
phosphorous fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or 10-20-20.
Put the length of the stem along the length of the trench and firm the soil
around it, leaving only the growth tip above ground. Don't worry about the
growth tip being at an angle. it will straighten up on its own shortly.
Water the plant in well and keep it damp but not soggy. In a few weeks,
roots will form along the buried stem and that plant should eventually
surpass the others in the garden, I have tried this with "leggy"
transplants and it works like a charm. You will be amazed at size of the
root ball you eventually dig up in the Fall!
Good gardening,
Chuck Wyatt