Tomato issues

tegaan 5/11/2011, 1:33 pm

Hi,

I haven't even planted my tomatoes yet, but they have a problem. I bought them at the farmers market and they are organic. The leaves are possibly getting eaten by someting. They look like they are pale in the middle of the leaf, when I go look it is just the middle of the leaf left...all the green is gone. It is in irregular shapes not trails. lots of flying things leave when I go near, but do not see what they look like. What could this be and how do I organically fix it?

thank you for your help, Kari

**Furbalsmom** 5/11/2011, 2:07 pm

Kari, can you post a close up picture of the tomato plants/leaves? That may help some of our pest and disease gurus help you out.

If you do find any pests on the leaves, p-ictures of those would be helpful

tegaan 5/11/2011, 2:11 pm

Ummm....probably cannot post a picture....not good at that sort of thing. Will try later today maybe.

Kari

tegaan 5/11/2011, 2:50 pm

Ok, I have 3 pictures how do I get them so you can see them?

Kari

UnderTheBlackWalnut 5/11/2011, 2:59 pm

Hi Tegaan: Here is a link to the place where Boffer gives instructions on how to post a picture that is on your computer. How to post a picture located on your computer Smile

BackyardBirdGardner 5/11/2011, 3:08 pm

Is it possible to take them back and either exchange them or get a refund and go somewhere else? Buying inferior starts only hurts the long term success of your season.

tegaan 5/12/2011, 11:47 am

Here is some pictures of the tomato issue. What can I do to fix it? Can I spray with dish soap and water?

thanks, Kari

pattipan 5/12/2011, 11:59 am

Kari,
This looks like simple leaf burn to me. which is caused by getting water on the leaves which magnifies the heat of the sun and burns the leaf. Newer leaves coming on should be fine. My guess is the place you got them watered in the hot sun! To prevent this and any fungus, water tomatoes at the base of the plant, water in the morning and avoid getting water on the leaves.

pattipan

tegaan 5/12/2011, 12:02 pm

It is like that on the bottom of the leaves too! It looks like it has been eaten away, not just brown...could it still be leave burn? I hope so!!

pattipan 5/12/2011, 12:21 pm

tegaan wrote:It is like that on the bottom of the leaves too! It looks like it has been eaten away, not just brown...could it still be leave burn? I hope so!!

I am no expert, I am only basing my guess on the pictures. But it looks to me like water has puddled on those areas and caused leaf burn. Leaf burn kill the cells, so it would be brown all the way through the leaf.

It doesn't look like all the leaves are affected, but I can't see the whole plant like you can. How are the new leaves looking?

pattipan

tegaan 5/12/2011, 12:49 pm

Thanks for your reply. The new leaves are ok so far so hopfully that is the problem. I can't wait to get them planted and I will remember to water from the bottom. Very Happy

thanks, Kari

Tril 5/12/2011, 12:52 pm

I found this online... looks like what you have! What's confusing though is this is "Malathion Damage". Malathion is an insecticide!

The description is this: "Classical pesticide burn on upper and lower leaf surface, free of any fungal growth, unless secondaries have invaded tissue."

I found this on this site called "Tomato leave symptoms diagnosis".
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/diagnostickeys/TomLeaf/TomLeafKey.html

tegaan 5/12/2011, 1:11 pm

HMMMM! Yes it does look like that (my tomatoes are outside, just not planted). I don't use anything, but unfortunately live in the middle of apple orchards and they have sprayed (with what I don't know). I did think I was far enough away that it should not drift to me. Aggggh!

Kari

Tril 5/12/2011, 6:58 pm

Hmmm... that might be the answer then. Could you call the orchards and ask if they use malathion?

pattipan 5/12/2011, 9:13 pm

I don't think your leaves look like they were chemically burned. The leaves in the pictures look healthy except for the brown spots. The Malthion damaged leaves look more shriveled. Kari, if you bought these from an organic farm and the plants came this way, my bet is still on leaf burn...unless the farm cannot be trusted.

I was up at my local greenhouse today and watched a little as some of the youth extras they had hired were watering the plants. Luckily it was overcast today because they definitely got the leaves wet!

I am also an optimist. Smile

If you want to be sure, you could call the farm where you bought them.

pattipan

tegaan 5/12/2011, 10:24 pm

Yes, I am trying to be optimistic too.....must be leaf burn. Very Happy

If so it is my fault as they did not look that way when I bought them. I think they are very sad in the small containers and want to be planted!! I may risk it this weekend and just watch the weather.

thanks, kari

Squat_Johnson 5/13/2011, 10:42 am

I was late getting my tomatoes in the ground this spring, and I have some that look somewhat like this. I think it's too many weeks in 4" pots. They require several minerals, and don't get that from peat and seed-starter. Mine are looking much better after a week in soil mix.

This is a good reference for diagnosing tomato deficiencies
http://4e.plantphys.net/article.php?ch=t&id=289

tegaan 5/13/2011, 11:11 am

This is awesome. Yes I think they need to be planted...they wilt really easily. I am sure that once I plant them they will be much healthier and happier. Now do I wait 1-2 as suggested or do I plant them now and cover as needed. I will probably plant and cover.....otherwise I might just lose them.

thanks, Kari

Old Hippie 5/13/2011, 10:42 pm

Tegaan, I am in Prince George and plan to put my tomatoes out around the long weekend. Might be after as we are going away for a few days. Do you know what your last frost date usually is? I thought your last frost was a couple of weeks before mine as Kelowna is warmer than we are. However, this has been an exceptionally long, cool spring.

I would take a chance and plant them but keep a close eye on the forecast every night for the next couple of weeks. Be prepared to cover them even if the forecast is not quite down to freezing. They don't mind be a bit cozy overnight.

Best of luck.

Gwynn

tegaan 5/13/2011, 10:51 pm

Kelowna's last frost date is the 19th. I did plant the tomatoes today, it turned out well, I did the lay down method and didn't break any. I will hold off on peppers, even though they are outside, on the porch hiding in another container. I will be watching the weather and will tuck in tomatoes and peppers should it get chilly. Just want everything planted and growing. bounce

thanks, Kari

Old Hippie 5/13/2011, 10:59 pm

Ohhhh! I am jealous. Your frost date is at least three weeks ahead of mine! Way to go though! I am glad you planted them.

Gwynn

tegaan 5/30/2011, 11:08 pm

Ok, now all my tomato plants have dark brown specks and the leaves are curling, not yellowing. I can't figure out the problem from the diagnostics. Does this sound familiar to anyone. Am I doing something wrong?

kari

**walshevak** 5/31/2011, 5:58 am

Just from reading some other posts on the forum and looking at where you live, my first thought was "how chilly have your nights been"?

But I'm a person who has in the past always just put a tomato in the ground, tied it up to a fence or cage and just hoped I got a harvest. I would feed, water and dust with sevin, but never looked out for disease or specific pests.

Kay

**camprn** 5/31/2011, 6:50 am

tegaan wrote:Ok, now all my tomato plants have dark brown specks and the leaves are curling, not yellowing. I can't figure out the problem from the diagnostics. Does this sound familiar to anyone. Am I doing something wrong?

kari

Sorry, the tomatoes are suffering. Where did you get these plants? When did you put them into the garden? Have you seen any insects on the plants? Can you post a photo? If the leaves have brown or black spots and curling leaves, with your clippers remove the effected leaves and discard them into the trashbin, not the compost pile. Wash the clippers and your hands well before moving onto other plants, because if it is a disease limiting the spread of infection is ideal. Try contacting you local Cooperative extension service and speak with the agriculture agent if the problem persists.

tegaan 5/31/2011, 11:40 am

our nights have not been that chilly. I picked a few aphids off but not a whole lot. Most of the leaves are affected, I don't want to cut them all off (do I?). I got the plants from a certified organic farmer at the market. I have 2 different types. This is my first time with tomatoes and I want to do it right and get a nice harvest. Bugs and diseases are not allowed in my garden Evil or Very Mad

. I will see if I can call the extension service.

thanks, Kari

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