Tomato branches curling down? Learn 13 proven common reasons behind tomato branches curling down and how to fix each issue for healthier, thriving tomato plants.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are both delicious and also easy to grow in the garden. Growing them is a fantastic choice for beginners. They don’t require a lot of room and can grow in a wide range of temperatures but they don’t like extremely cold temperatures. Each person’s preferences and hardiness zones dictate the variety they should choose.
Tomatoes come in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, and purple when they are fully ripe. Tomatoes come in a variety of sizes and flavors, making it difficult to know which one is which. They’re also a good source of vitamin K, folate, and potassium, all of which are essential nutrients. Tomatoes picked before ripe have a superior flavor to those purchased from supermarkets because they are homegrown.
When it comes to growing tomatoes in the garden, some people have different problems. Curling tomato branches is one of the most common problems that might occur. Fortunately, the root cause is usually easy to fix with a few simple changes to your gardening habits, so this is good news. By reading this guide, you will be able to know, Why Are Tomato Branches Curling Down:13 Proven Causes+Fixes.
Let’s start,
It might be difficult for gardeners to know what to do when tomato plant branches begin to curl down. Curled tomato branches can be prevented and treated more easily if you know the symptoms and causes of the condition.
What causes tomato branches to curl down?
When you see the tomato branches curling down, don’t be afraid. As long as it doesn’t get worse, it’s usually not a big deal and can be fixed.
Make sure to keep an eye out for any symptoms of trouble in your garden. That allows you to take action sooner and prevent the problem from causing your tomato branches to curl down. Here, we’ll look at the reasons why tomato branches curl down and how to fix them step by step.
1. Extreme Heat
The most common cause of curled tomato branches is overheating. Afternoon sunlight can be particularly strong in the middle of the summer. In order to protect themselves, your tomato plants may tend to curl over time.
As a result of the heatwave, it appears that the soil is drying out rapidly and that your tomato branches will probably certainly curl.
How to fix it?
It’s best to keep your plants out of direct sunlight as much as possible, so move them to a shaded area for a few hours to cool them down. In hot and dry weather, make sure your plants have plenty of water.
2. Cold Weather
Cold nights can cause the branches of tomatoes to curl as they struggle to deal with the cold. It’s possible to extend the growing season even in areas where it’s likely to freeze over.
How to fix it?
To protect plants from the cold, a cloth or garden fabric works well. Plants’ roots stay warmer when mulch is applied around them.
Keep in mind that it’s always a few degrees warmer near to a house. The simple act of relocating your potted plants to the side of your house in the late fall may prolong their lives by several weeks. Before a frosty night, remove any near-ripe tomatoes from the vine.
3. Insufficient Spacing
Having too many tomato plants in close proximity will make it difficult to keep up with the plant’s daily needs. Taking nutrients from the plant is impossible because all tomato plants compete for nutrient and water sources. Tomato branches might curl down if they are not spaced properly.
How to fix it?
It’s a good idea to transplant tomato plants a little deeper into the ground than they were originally growing in their pots. Having well-spaced tomato plants is essential for their long-term health and productivity. It is important to know what type of tomato you are growing before determining the proper distance between plants.
Tomato plants should be spaced at least 24 to 36 inches apart, but this is a general guideline. They should be spaced no closer than 24 inches apart to avoid reducing air circulation around the plants and causing the branches to curl.
4. Irregular Watering
As a warm-season vegetable, tomatoes require a lot of water in order to produce juicy and tasty fruits. But, overwatering or underwatering your tomato plants is the most common reason for tomato branches curling down.
How does underwatering affect tomato branches curling down?
When soil is dry in the case of lack of water, water cannot be transferred to the plant cells, which affects the tomato plant negatively. In order to avoid further water loss, the branches begin to curl.
How to fix it?
Every day, you should check the soil around the base of the tomato plant. Check the soil’s moisture by sticking a finger 1 or 2 inches in the soil. When soil does not moist, it is time to water. Keep in mind that if it’s hot outside, you’ll need to water your plants more frequently.
How does overwatering affect tomato branches curling down?
If you overwater the plant, you risk damaging the roots, which in turn will result in the plant not functioning properly. Branches curling down is assumed to be a result of the stress of overwatering. So, for tomato plants, excessive watering is never a good thing.
How to fix it?
To determine if your tomato plant has healthy roots, you’ll need to do some digging. If this indicates that the roots are infected, remove the plant from the soil and trim any damaged roots. After that, you can replant it in new soil and give it plenty of water.
And allow potted plants to drain after using a well-draining potting mix. Drainage can be improved by adding perlite, vermiculite, or sand to the soil. Mulching around the base of the plants is also a good thing. Keep in mind only water if the top 2-5 inches of soil are completely dry.
5. Transplanting Shock
Transplant shock is typically to blame if you see a tomato branch curl after a recent transplant.
When tomato plants are moved to a new location, the risk of root damage increases. The roots of tomatoes are extremely sensitive. It’s possible to cause root damage even with the tiniest of cuts. The plant may show evidence of root injury by curling as it adapts to its new location.
How to fix it?
It is fortunate that moderate transplant shock does not cause any serious problems. You only need to be patient, as you would with any of the other factors. In a few weeks, the plants will be able to handle their own problems.
6. Too Much Pruning
Pinch the suckers between the main stem and the lateral stems of tomato plants to profit from light pruning. The removal of only a few leaves can also help with growth and airflow.
Too much pruning is never a good thing. An example of this is branch curl on tomato plants, which can be caused by it. Tomato plants that have been overly pruned suffer from stress which leads the branches to curl. This increases the surface area of the plant exposed to the sun, making it more vulnerable to heat stress.
How to fix it?
It’s important though to exercise caution when pruning. Pruning determinate tomato plants should not be done until absolutely essential.
It’s okay to let your plant rest if it’s just recovered from a hard trimming session. While the plant is still sensitive, any additional contact with it could result in further harm. If you wait a few weeks, the stress should subside and the branches return to their natural state.
7. Fungal Diseases
A fungus is the most prevalent problem you’ll encounter on tomato plants. The plant’s leaves will be affected, but the lack of nutrition will cause the branches to curl as well.
The plant’s damp environment is the most common cause of this issue. If the tomato plant has a lot of foliage and you’re not pruning the branches, this can lead to a damp environment.
How to fix it?
You also don’t want to spray water on the foliage. Watering in the morning is preferable since the excess water will evaporate as soon as the sun rises making it easier for plants to survive.
Be sure to wipe off the excess water from the leaves and branches. Watering the soil with a watering can or soaker hose is a wonderful idea because the tomato plant is not strong.
If your tomato plant is infected with a fungal disease, you must remove the infected leaves and branches immediately. The illness will be kept from spreading to other sections of the plant as a result of this being taken.
8. Improper Nutrient Use
Until the plant matures and produces fruit, you must supply it with the correct amount of essential nutrients.
How does lack of nutrients affect tomato branches curling down?
The curling down of tomato branches might be caused by a lack of nutrients in the soil. This is a common issue when growing tomato plants in a container instead of in the ground.
In order to find the nutrients they need, roots growing in-ground can search far. In a container, they are unable to accomplish this thus you must feed them.
How to fix it?
When preparing the soil for the tomato plant, it’s a good idea to use an organic slow-release liquid fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizer might persist for several weeks or more. To maintain your tomato plants healthy during the growing season, you can use this fertilizer 2 or 3 times.
How do too much nutrients affect tomato branches curling down?
The roots may get burned if you use too much nutrients. The plant’s branches will curl if they are unable to supply nutrients to the plant.
How to fix it?
If this occurs, wait a few weeks before applying fertilizer to the tomato plant until you can see the branches recovering.
9. Wind Damage
Tomato branches can curl down in the same way when it’s windy. Your tomato plants can be damaged if the weather is too windy.
An open field may be the source of your problems. When strong winds blow, the plants lose moisture and their branches often curl as a result.
How to fix it?
Protect plants from the wind by putting up a barrier. Stake or support your tomato plants to keep them from being blown over.
It’s also possible to remedy this by planting more sturdy plants like shrubs or trees that can withstand the wind. Find out the normal wind direction in your area.
Building a modest wall around your garden beds is another way to keep young tomato plants safe from wind damage. As a rule of thumb, this is best suited for in-ground gardens.
10. Pest Infestation
Aphids, whiteflies, and other microscopic insects can be a major nuisance for tomato gardeners. They suck the sap from branches and leaves. You’ll know whether there’s an infestation when you start seeing things. Then, pest infection also affects tomato branches curling down.
How to fix it?
Check your branches and leaves for pests on a regular basis by inspecting the top and bottom of each one of them.
Using some water to wash them away is a simple and effective method of removal. Make sure to spray under the leaves, where these insects are most likely to be found. Spray the affected leaves and branches with neem oil as a natural insecticide.
11. Viral Illnesses
Several viruses are responsible for tomato branch curled-downiness. Mosaic virus, streak virus, and crumple virus are some of the most frequent ones.
How to fix it?
There is no cure for viral illnesses, thus your plant will continue to decline. All tomato plants should be removed from the garden if the viral illness is the cause of the branch curling you’ve noticed.
12. Root Damage
Using small pots can lead to a root-bound tomato plant which can cause branches to curl down. In the event that your plants are still in little pots awaiting transplantation, this may be the root of the problem.
How to fix it?
Transplant the plant as quickly as feasible, either into a larger pot or to its final position. Next time, make sure you have a planting schedule in place to avoid stifling the plants as they grow quickly.
13. Herbicide Damage
Tomato plants are very vulnerable to chemical drifts, particularly those involving pesticides. Herbicide drift occurs when nearby farmers or gardeners spray weed control which is then blown by the wind and could fall in your garden.
Herbicide damage to tomato plants can cause the branches to curl down and produce fruits with deformed shapes that should not be eaten.
How to fix it?
Check on your plants. Spraying your tomato plants after sunset with water and allowing them to air dry helps to straighten out curly branches. If not recovered, you should remove the whole plant from the garden.
Do curled branches need to remove?
To remedy the branch curling down, you must know the root cause of the problem. Then, you can treat it well. So, if your plant recovered, it is not necessary to remove it.
However, if a disease causes branch curling, the plant must be destroyed. Don’t throw it out into the compost. Burn it or throw it in your garden garbage bin.
Best tomato varieties to grow
Here are the 5 best tomatoes varieties to grow in your garden.
1. Beefsteak Tomato
The beefsteak tomato is one of the most popular and well-liked tomato varieties, thanks to its huge size, deep red color, and mouthwatering flavor. At least 85 days after planting, beefsteak tomatoes are ready for harvest. 6 to 8 feet is the height of the beefsteak tomato plant.
2. Celebrity Tomato
Depending on the depth and condition of your soil, Celebrity tomatoes can grow as high as 5 feet tall, making them quite easy to grow. It takes about 70 days for a celebrity tomato plant to produce a completely ripe tomato.
3. Black Cherry Tomato
The black cherry tomato plant has a blooming period of 65 days. They are often used in salads because of their sweet flavor, but you may also eat them raw, just like any other tomato.
4. Azoychka Tomato
Because of its brilliant yellow hue, the Azoychka tomato is often mistaken for a lemon. Tomatoes from the Azoychka variety are well-known for their delicious, citrusy, and fruity flavor.
5. Brandywine Tomato
Large, flavorful Brandywine tomatoes are often regarded as some of the tastiest tomatoes. They’re enormous and round, and they’re a vibrant shade of red to boot. About 90 to 100 days after planting, Brandywine tomatoes are ready to harvest.
Watch What are the natural fertilizers for tomato plants | Video
Top 5 FAQs & answers related to Why Are Tomato Branches Curling Down:13 Proven Causes+Fixes
What is the best kind of fertilizer to use for tomatoes?
Soil testing is a good idea before applying fertilizer to tomatoes. Fertilizers that are lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus should be used on soils that are already well-balanced or have high levels of nitrogen. Balanced fertilizers like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 can be used if you’re a little short on nitrogen.
How long do tomatoes take to mature?
In terms of days to harvest, cultivars can range from 60 to more than 100 days, depending on how long they take to mature. Tomatoes can’t be started too early in the ground because they’re a warm-season crop that can’t withstand freezing temperatures.
How many tomatoes can one plant yield?
When growing larger tomato varieties, you can receive up to 20 or 30 large tomatoes from a robust healthy indeterminate tomato plant, depending on growth and the manner the tomatoes form on the plant.
How often should tomatoes water?
Watering tomato plants in the mornings in the early part of the growing season. Tomato plants may need to be watered twice a day when the temperature rises. Tomatoes in the garden need a weekly watering of 1-2 inches. As compared to garden tomatoes, containerized tomatoes require more water.
What should I grow next to tomatoes?
Tomatoes are known to thrive in the company of a wide range of plants, but these are some of the most reliable companions like basil, parsley, garlic, asparagus, squash chives, etc.
Conclusion
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