Help with a tomato plant?

[irishmick]

So, I know the pictures are crappy, but can anyone tell me what's going on with my tomato plant? It seems OK, but it's got these weird looking dead spots on it...?

[Cidp24]

Hard to tell in the pic but it kind of looks like too much watering.

[MacLean]

Overwatering.

[Cidp24]

As my mother would say, "You're loving it to death!"

[MacLean]

One other alternative in the northwest is blight.

Cut off the affected bits of the leaves if that is the case, it's a fungus thing.

[irishmick]

We haven't been watering it too much...just whatever it's getting from the rain, so it shouldn't be too much. It could be the northwest blight then. I'll have to get better pictures. Will taking off the leaves affect tomato growth?

[mavriktu]

Cut the leaves and try some Sevin dust,I was getting frustrated and even cut some lower branches and now am doing a lot better, NOW,if I could just do something about the damn blossom rot.,maybe 2 bucks a pound isnt all that bad,

[pac201]

getting too much water, also cut your bleeders, that's the non-essential stems that don't do anything except take away nutrients from the "maters"...

[irishmick]

getting too much water, also cut your bleeders, that's the non-essential stems that don't do anything except take away nutrients from the "maters"...

OK, the first part I understood (about the water)...the rest of it is Greek. Which ones are the bleeders and which ones are the "maters"?? I must qualify this by saying this is my first tomato plant ever.

[Buttercup]

OK, the first part I understood (about the water)...the rest of it is Greek. Which ones are the bleeders and which ones are the "maters"?? I must qualify this by saying this is my first tomato plant ever.

Mater




Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[IMGreat101]

blossom end rot = needs calcium

some fungus issues have to do with air circulation around the plant. That includes under the plant. Cut off all branches from the ground up to 8-10 inches. Remove other obstacles around the plant. Biodynamics/French Intensive is not that easy when it comes to controlling fungus and other diseases.

Next year address these issues with a better selection/disease resistant plant.

You could go to a greenhouse and have your soil tested too. (we have not)

Watering issues may not be your fault as you stated (rain). This could also indicate that your soil is heavy clay, which retains more moisture. The you want to amend your "clay" with as much compost as you can. Select only material that will work in easy every year.

[Jenna]

Maybe if you hug it, it will feel better?

[Jks9199]

Check for caterpillars or tomato worms, too...

[IMGreat101]

Check for caterpillars or tomato worms, too...

That is a good point too. Tomato worms are HUGE and will strip your plant. The spotty leaves can also indicate insects on the under side of the leaves (spider mites)

other tips

Tomato plants will naturally die from the bottom up.
The tomato plant is meant to vine. We have had plants get as long as 14-16 ft.
Do not water the plant from the top. Apply water at the base of the plant. I walk up and down the rows with the hose and a 3 ft watering wand.
Funnel style tomato cages are a FAIL from the start. We use 6 inch cement rebar. Buy a roll, snip at every 8 squares leaving a tab. I think 1 roll is about $35-$40 and will make 6 or 7 cages. Use small t-posts to anchor and tie off the cages.

[pac201]

maters=tomatoes...everyone else has pretty well addressed the leafy do nothing part of the vines.

[pgg]

Tomatoes =

So just cut it down

[irishmick]

Thanks for all the tips! We're definitely watering the bottom first. Mr irishmick bought a "Topsy Turvy" thingy so that's what it's growing in. I'm going to check the leaves and see if there are bugs/worms. If it's not, I'll see if it's a fungus.

And Phil, tomatoes are yummy. There's seriously a food you *won't* eat!?

[IMGreat101]

Thanks for all the tips! We're definitely watering the bottom first. Mr irishmick bought a "Topsy Turvy" thingy so that's what it's growing in. I'm going to check the leaves and see if there are bugs/worms. If it's not, I'll see if it's a fungus.

And Phil, tomatoes are yummy. There's seriously a food you *won't* eat!?

Topsy Turvy = FAIL

[incustody1015]

I found that by adding Epsom Salts and crushed raw egg shels helped also.. My plants grew to 9'. Rinse the egg shells and gather a bunch of them. I have a big family and we use alot of them, so i keep the shells. Read the bag/box of the Epsom Salts it will tell you how much to put. Enjoy and Good Luckl