In regards to tomato plants, taller is not always better. Sometimes, tall plants eventually become spindly and weak and are unable to produce or support fruit. Even though the problem occurs more frequently in seedlings grown inside, it may strike mature plants in the lawn. These plants require immediate attention to rectify the reason for the spindly vines. Before you may see to your tomato plants, then you have to determine the cause of the weak vines.
Lack of Light
The most common cause for tall, spindly tomato plants is a shortage of sunlight. Tomato plants need a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. If they get less light, then the vines start to stretch for the light, making them elongate. Without adequate light to manufacture food, the plants quickly develop weak stalks and vines. These plants are also referred to as “leggy.” If your tomato plants get less than eight hours of direct sunlight every day, then their spindly vines are probably because of a lack of light.
Overcrowding
Growing seedlings too close with them, or failing to permit adequate space between tomato plants, also causes spindly plants. Overcrowding makes it difficult for the sunlight to reach all parts of the plants. Tomato plants respond by trying to stretch above neighboring plants in search of sunlight. Alternately, overcrowding may also cause competition for water and nutrients, or inhibit root development, which may result is stunted and spindly growth. If your tomato plants are overcrowded, but otherwise get enough sunlight, the reason for the spindly vines will probably be in overcrowding.
Lack of Nitrogen
A deficiency of sulfur from the soil also causes tomato plants to become weak and spindly. Because they don’t have the vital nutrients to construct healthy plant tissues, the stems fail to grow normally. This might cause a lack of fruit, or plants which break easily under the weight of developing fruit. The plants are also susceptible to breakage in summertime storms. Their weakened condition makes them more susceptible to disease and pest damage. If your tomato plants get adequate light and are not overcrowded, a lack of nitrogen may be the cause of the spindly vines.
Treatments
Remedying spindly tomato plants is easiest when they’re still at the seedling stage, before you transplant them to your backyard. Moving them to more light, supplying them with a supply of nitrogen and giving them room to grow is the very first step. Pinching out the middle leaves on the stems with your hands forces new growth to look them stem and temporarily stops upwards growth. This encourages dense foliage and stocky stems. Tomatoes plants at the garden may be more difficult to remedy, especially if the reason for the spindly vines is a shortage of light. Removing any constructions close to the garden which cast a shadow on your own plants and pruning bushes and trees which are blocking the light may bring relief. Applying nitrogen fertilizer and pinching the plants back works on tomato plants in the backyard, as well as seedlings.