More sick tomato plants

You are probably right Boffer. You know your weather conditions better than anyone else. But it could still be a disease that has not affected the other one because of the location.

Works for me. When are you installing the greenhouse heater?

Well, maybe that explains why my super beefsteak are not doing well. We did have some cold, windy weather right after I planted them - down to 35*. Course, now we are in the upper 80s so maybe they will catch up.

Kay

camprn wrote:Works for me. When are you installing the greenhouse heater?

I considered it, but it would make for some expensive tomatoes!

This year in the greenhouse, I tried a box with heated MM and a box-like cover made from twin-wall polycarbonate. I planted 2 plants near the end of Feb., and they did great. But the cover wasn't tall enough, and I broke the vines on both plants. The plants survived, but needless to say, I didn't get a big head start like I planned.

It seems like lots of peoples tomato troubles have been weather related. I haven't even posted about mine as I figured what many have, that it has been too cold for them.

My tomatoes are looking terrible, but it's because they are root bound in one inch cells. will try to plant tomorrow.

Boffer, let us know when you see improvements.

the only thing I can think of .....were they all planted in the same kind of pots?.....if so did those pots host tomatoes last year? and if so was each pot cleaned out and sanitized?

other wise.....I believe its the cool weather

happy gardening
rose

Looks like a virus to me. A typical problem with nursery plants or/with infected soil.

I use 35% food grade Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) to solve the problem. Here are some links for info and using H2O2 in the garden. I use it on seedlings and plants in all stages of growth. I find it is a terrific anti in the garden and non-toxic to plants, animals, and soil when used in proper mixed quantities. That being said, 35% will burn skin if it comes in contact, so wear rubber gloves, safety glasses/face shield, and a rubber apron for safe handling while mixing.

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/peroxide-garden.html

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/fourtwenty/articles/h2o2.htm

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/gardening-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html

I have purchased from here in the past:

http://www.jutrianrx.com/

Look for chemical reagent supply houses in your area as they are usually cheaper. Also some farm supply houses also carry it in bulk. A gallon lasts a long time but should probably be refrigerated. You can also use clear hair bleaching peroxide but it has to be increased for the mix.

You posted pics of these "sick" plants in the PNW: July thread and they don't look sick anymore.  I see plenty of healthy leaves - is that all new growth?  Did you prune off the sickly ones?  What do you think made the difference - the warm spell we just had?

Danggit!  You caught me procrastinating about updating this thread!  I had taken pictures specifically to do so, but the greenhouse is so crowded, that it was hard to get good comparison pics.  I was waiting until the tomatoes were all red so they would show up better!  

Here's the five plants that I showed in the beginning of this thread.  

In the pots, from right to left:

1. received a couple shots of fish emulsion, 5-1-1
2. received two feedings of 4-6-3 organic fertilizer
3. top dressed with what should be very high nitrogen homemade compost
4. nothing, control plant
5. nothing, control plant



ALL five plants have fruit.  

No. 2 has the most fruit, but not much more than 1, so I don't think there's a significant difference.

3 has become a healthy looking plant, but it took a couple weeks longer than 1 and 2 (which I expected)

Once the weather warmed up, the new growth on the control plants, 4 and 5, started looking normal.  I trimmed off the old lower leaves as they died off, that's why they look nekkid towards the bottom.  But, on 5, you can see the new healthy growth towards the bottom.

This shot is from the other direction.  Plant 1 on right, 2 on the left.


I took pity on the ailing plant (2) and wasn't as ruthless as I should have been about pruning it to one vine.  That's why the garden ribbon is supporting one vine.  It looks like  I better get some stronger support on that heavy vine, soonest!

All other varieties are still doing just fine.

Have you ruled out a Thrips infestation?




Sticky card traps placed among new plants for a day or two will quickly indicate the presence of thrips. ref: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/80178527/Thrips---Biology-_amp-Control

Even sorry looking plants produce fruit.  I won't be growing Burpee Super Beefsteak again.

Hydrogen Peroxide is a chemical that if you buy concentrated  is used in bomb making and your name  may go on a list.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus Disease on tomatoes is that a possibility.

I didn't see anything resembling mosaic, did you Boffer? Of course I am not there in person to see clearly.

Boffer, good decision to not grow those again. Did I ever send you any gilbertie seeds?

Nopers, no sign of TMV. All factors considered, I have to conclude that they just didn't like having cold feet. The control plant that I'm growing inside under lights is still healthy as can be.

Everybody has been saying such great things about your Gilberties, I guess I better try some next year. Can you send me the ones that aren't prone to BER?  

boffer wrote:Nopers, no sign of TMV.  All factors considered, I have to conclude that they just didn't like having cold feet.  The control plant that I'm growing inside under lights is still healthy as can be.

Everybody has been saying such great things about your Gilberties, I guess I better try some next year.  Can you send me the ones that aren't prone to BER?   

Typically, I only see BER in the first fruits of the plant, but not so this year, except for a few San Marzanos, there is no BER in the garden. PM your address to me and I will send you some seed.

boffer wrote:Even sorry looking plants produce fruit.  I won't be growing Burpee Super Beefsteak again.

Looks better than my tomatoes, If you don't want them you can send em my way