Deer partially ate my plant. Can it still bear tomatoes?

[Marcsky]

I've been growing a Brandywine OTV tomato plant (maturation 72 days). At 40 days (no blossoms yet) a deer decided to make a meal of the plant. About half the leaves were stripped off. A third of the stems were also chewed on, not completely chewed off. The main root stem was untouched. Is it still possible for the plant to grow and bear tomatoes? If so, anything I can do to help the process?

[mjc]

Originally Posted by Marcsky

The main root stem was untouched. Is it still possible for the plant to grow and bear tomatoes? If so, anything I can do to help the process?

Yes, it should be possible for it to still produce a crop of 'maters. It will just take longer.

To help it along...venison burgers.

[Farmette]

Originally Posted by Marcsky

I've been growing a Brandywine OTV tomato plant (maturation 72 days). At 40 days (no blossoms yet) a deer decided to make a meal of the plant. About half the leaves were stripped off. A third of the stems were also chewed on, not completely chewed off. The main root stem was untouched. Is it still possible for the plant to grow and bear tomatoes? If so, anything I can do to help the process?

Sorry to hear that. I have had that happen and the plant recovered. As long as there are enough leaves for photosynthesis to occur, I think it should be fine. Just make sure to protect against further damage.

[Marcsky]

Originally Posted by mjc

Yes, it should be possible for it to still produce a crop of 'maters. It will just take longer.

To help it along...venison burgers.

Over tomato sauce, I presume...

[Marcsky]

Originally Posted by Farmette

Sorry to hear that. I have had that happen and the plant recovered. As long as there are enough leaves for photosynthesis to occur, I think it should be fine. Just make sure to protect against further damage.

The stems that are partially chewed off, will they continue to grow out or should I cut them off?

[Farmette]

Originally Posted by Marcsky

The stems that are partially chewed off, will they continue to grow out or should I cut them off?

Not seeing the plant, I am guessing these are branches off the main stem, which is still intact. I would probably prune them off, just allowing the energy to go into the main stem. You will get more side branches anyway. I'd certainly do it if they had been greatly chewed.

[Farmette]

By the way, I've had this happen with other veggies; fortunately there has always been enough left that the plant kept on growing. I am thinking about my sugar snap peas from a few years ago; the deer grazed the tops right off, but they eventually recovered and I eventually did get a crop.

[mjc]

I've had deer trim tomatoes to 'fit'...everything sticking out of a tomato cage was eaten. And they kept coming back...every time the plants started making progress, chomp--chomp.

A little red wine, some chanterelle mushrooms and garlic all helped deal with the main culprit that year.