My Brandywine split right at the base of the 2 main stalks

[KurtNYC]

Like a wishbone would split. Looks like the weight of the tomatoes did it but I have deer, rabbits, a dog and foxes out there too. I have never seen a split like this. I cut the smaller one off with pruning shears and pressed the split back together (?) A real drag because I only planted one of each variety and have not yet picked a single Brandywine. I got my first Oxheart last week and it was fantastic. So fleshy and large.

Do you think I can save (graft / root) the cut one? It has 4 big tomatoes on it and blossoms for more.

[NV Whino]

1. Duct tape.

[KurtNYC]

2. I had some with me but opted not to use it

I think I can save the one stem -- it was the thicker of the two.

Robotussin?

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Heap lots of good potting mix around the split and keep it watered well - and cover part of the stem

above the split. Tomato stems will root, though with a really mature stem, it may be touch and go. I've had that happen....and of course, since Brandywine is one of the very best flavored of all, you have a case of Murphy's Law at play!

good luck!

[KurtNYC]

4. Thanks

Why couldn't it be the (flavorless) Stupice???

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. ah. Stupice. or worse, Yellow Pear!

Let me know if you want some seeds next spring - I have a huge collection and love to share.

[KurtNYC]

7. I may have to take you up on that!

This year was just kind of a Noah's Ark approach with 1 or 2 plants from a wide range but next year I would like to swap out the ones that aren't worth growing for ones that are.

Even the deer don't want the Stupices. They go for my Cherokee Purples and the Mortgage Lifters (which I have yet to taste myself). They grab them when they are ripe, the little devils. A 7 foot fence isn't enough to stop them.

[LiberalEsto]

5. I tied my split tomato plants together

I use cotton clothesline, suspended from a metal frame, to train pole beans, cucumbers and tomato plants to grow up instead of out. Every few days I spiral the new growth around the clothesline.

For the split tomato plants, I pulled the split branches together gently and circled the line around them.

I don't know how this will work out. In your case I'd wait until the big tomatoes are picked, then try the grafting.

What is causing so many tomato plants to split this year? Four out of five - all different varieties including Brandywine - split.

[KurtNYC]

8. We had a mild rain storm the other day with some wind

and the Brandywine had about 5 fair sized tomatoes on each side of the split so I am thinking some combination of weight and wind was enough to do it. Possibly the recent wet weather has got the stalks a little softer than usual (?)