My friend's little girl decided to cut off the leaves of my very new tomato plant.... will it still survive?

Question

It happened yesterday. What can I do?

Answer 1

It should be ok

some tomato growers remove MOST of the leaves on purpose, thinking it will cause the plant to put more energy into forming tomatoes than foliage.

In a week you'll see plenty of leaves again

Answer 2

you want to a a weak mixture of fertilizer with a high first number (nitrogen). Nitrogen encourages leave growth. Pro-Booster 10-0-0 is a fast acting fertilizer with one third of its nitrogen immediately available (water-soluble). Water a lot.

Good luck

joe

Answer 3

Well if there are no leaves at all and no flowers, tomatoes, etc. and just a small stick, I wouldn't have too high of hopes for it. Although if there are any small suckers left at all, there is a chance it will survive. Also if it is a decent sized plant with a good root system it could come back.

I've had tomato plants survive after 100 mph winds and all that was left was just a stick with one leaf left, so you never know what could happen. I would personally apply a small amount of fertilizer to make up for the lack of nutrients and wait a few weeks to see if it will make it.

If it does already have tomatoes on it, wait a week or two and monitor the stem's color. If the stems become brown and dead, pick all the tomatoes and bring them inside to ripen.