Question
I have a new problem. I have several healthy, 5 foot tall tomato plants with a good amount of still-green, still-growing fruit - not enormous, but good sized.  In the last few days, I've found a few stems that have bent (kinked) under the weight of the tomatoes.  I've now tied them up to straighten the stems, but there's still a "pinch" where the stem went over.  I've never had this problem before.  Could it be a nutrient problem causing stem weakness?  Anything else I can do?  Any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated!
Beth
Cape Cod, MA

Answer
Dear Beth,
I always stake my tomatoes at about 2 1/2 feet or "cage"  them when I set them out in the spring.  Tomato vines bear a great deal of weight through the season of producing fruit.  The only suggestion I have, after the fact, would be to provide support for the individually burdened vine, that is maybe a second stake or a second place tied to the stake.
If the plants are green and still producing, then I would say it is a weight bearing problem, rather than a nutrient problem.  Tomatoes are like any other vining plant.  They must be supported or they spread all over the ground.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
www.eingedi.us