When an entire family of gardeners from way back says, collectively, “I’ve never seen that before,” I tend to take notice. My uncle came to my mom and step-dad’s today while I was there. He’s having a problem with his tomato plants – nearly all of them.
We think it’s a fungus, but we’re not sure. The stalk of the plants have blister-like growths all over. I don’t have a photo to show, but the root system appears quite healthy – nice spreading, no clumps or knots.
The “blisters” cause the outer skin of the plant to just peel away like the bark of a tree.
So, is it a fungus? If so, will simple fungicide get rid of it, or should my uncle consider all of these plants lost and start over? Should the soil be treated with something? Should we expect this fungus (or whatever it is) to try to spread to other plants in the garden other than the tomatoes?
Any help/advice greatly appreciated.
