Stepped Away for a Few Days. What is this?
 

it has been so hot recently here in South TX (triple digits) that I have not ventured outside to visit my tomatoes. It only appears to be on one stem. Any ideas? What can/should I do about it? Thanks.

Late blight gives black glossy blotches on the stems and tomatoes similar to that. If it is late blight you will know soon as the entire plant will turn into a crispy critter in a matter of a week or less. Let's hope it is something else!

Looks like Early Blight to me.

Oh wait, I didn't notice the brown stuff on the stems. EB does not do that so I don't know.

[QUOTE=TomNJ;758017]Late blight gives black glossy blotches on the stems and tomatoes similar to that. If it is late blight you will know soon as the entire plant will turn into a crispy critter in a matter of a week or less. Let's hope it is something else![/QUOTE]


I agree it does look like late blight.

Unfortunately conditions in many places seem quite conducive to spread this year - lots of rain and humidity here in the midAtlantic.

Looks more like Early Blight to me. Clip off the stems with the yellow and brown leaves and spray the plant with the diluted bleach spray just before dark today. It will slow the spread of either but if it is LB then the plant is probably doomed especially if that is what is causing the stem darkening.

Bill