What To Do if a Tomato Plant Stops Growing
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Identify Tomato Plant Type
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Determinate tomato plants stop growing in height and form a flower cluster at the end, as opposed to indeterminate varieties that continue growing, according to the University of Illinois. Verify whether your tomato plant is determinate or indeterminate by checking its leaf growth pattern. Determinate plants have two leaves between each flower or group of tomatoes compared to indeterminate varieties that have three or four leaves in between.
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Examine the Plant for Signs of Disease
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Examine the tomato plant for symptoms such as yellowing or curling leaves and other signs of illness as described by Colorado State University. Chemical controls do not work on any of these problems, though row covers protect plants from the leafhopper pest, which carries the curly top virus. Plants with cucumber mosaic virus and herbicide injury must be removed and destroyed.
Bottom Line
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If the plant is a determinate variety, do nothing. If the plant shows curling, purple-tinted leaves, use row covers to protect it. Otherwise, take a sample to your local county extension office for confirmation of disease, but realize that it may need to be destroyed.
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- Photo Credit tomato image by YN from Fotolia.com
