Pruden's Purple is a potato-leaf variety, Dan, which is why you're seeing those large floppy leaves. They're called that because their foliage looks more like that of a potato plant than a tomato.
There are other differences as well. Potato leaf varieties are actually more primitive. They have extruded styles (which "modern") varieites lack, and, therefore, easily cross-pollinate with others.
The pink/purple tomatoes, particularly the potato leaf types, tend to be very sensitive to heat & humidity. That's why Brandywine, for instance, doesn't do well in the south. So you're aborting flowers might be due to weather conditions.
Another possibility: Every plant has a maximum biomass density. Once it reaches that it won't produce any more fruit until the existing biomass is reduced. Could be that your plant has reached that point. Although Pruden's Purple is one of the better producers among the pink/purples, they do tend to be less productive than other types.
As to the broken branch: Try splinting it, taping with duct tape, and see what happens. It probably will heal. If not, you haven't lost anything but a couple of minutes time.  |