[Nigel Bolton]

I am not sure if anyone can help.

However, I have just been out to tend the plants and have found that four of my fifteen tomato plants have been severed through the stem at ground level. There is some evidence that the stems were pulled. They were attached firmly to bamboo cane and were just about 20 inches tall, so it was not the wind. The foliage suggested the plants had not been severed for that long.

Would this damage be caused by pigeons?. There are many pairs nesting close by, including one pair in the tree above the tomato plants. I also thought that tomato plants are poisonous to some animals and birds, and therefore not susceptible to problems other than spores, milldew, fungus and blight.

Thanks in antic...

N.

[Uskys]

That sounds like lazy vole/mice who severe the plant near its base to get a drink of 'water' from the severed stem Nigel.

wrap a bit of plastic around the base of the others before dark.

[Dave K]

Uskys, on 03 June 2012 - 18:13, said:

That sounds like lazy vole/mice who severe the plant near its base to get a drink of 'water' from the severed stem Nigel.

wrap a bit of plastic around the base of the others before dark.

Sounds more feasible, no to be flippant but it would take superstrength pigeons or incredible teamwork to make that particular sort of damage.

[Nigel Bolton]

Thank you.

I have had mice in the compost heap recently, but I baited them and there has been no activity there since. I will carefully lay some bait behind a tub to see if that is what it is.

Considering rodents. I also have plenty of tree-rats (squirrels) living around.

Again, thanks for quick replies.

N.

[John Mason]

Do as I do with young bean-plants: take 2L water-bottles& chop both bottom and top off: cut slots top & bottom of same. Thread heavy fencing-wire through. Hey presto! pest-free plant-sleeves!