Tomato Plant Problems
Growing tomato plants doesn't always go without a hitch. Are you having problems
with your tomato plants? Hopefully, you will find the answers and the "Fix"
right here.
| The Problem: |
Probable Cause/Treatment: |
| Seeds don't sprout |
Old seeds, not viable.
Soil too cold.
Add bottom heat., use a germination mat.
Plant seeds very shallow.
See Seed Sprouting Problems |
| Seedlings fall over, cut at the base of the soil |
Most likely cause is Damping Off
Disease.
Let the top of the soil dry between watering. Add air circulation and
more sunlight. |
| Seedlings are long and leggy |
Not enough sunlight.
Move trays from window to window to catch more sunlight.
Set outdoors on warm days. Use a grow light overnight.
More on Leggy Plants |
| Bushy plants, no flowers or fruit |
If your plant is all plant, chances are you have fertilized to heavily
with a high nitrogen fertilizer.
Stop using nitrogen fertilizers just before the flowering stage. Add potassium
to promote blooms. |
| Healthy plants with flowers, no fruit set |
The most frequent cause is poor pollination due to high heat. Highs in
the 90's or above can cause this problem.
As soon as a cool spell arrives, the problem will be resolved.
More on Pollination
problems |
| Ugly brown spot on bottom of fruit |
Blossom end rot is caused by uneven watering and/or lack of calcium in
the soil.
Keep soil moist, deeply water. Check calcium levels. Add liquid chelated
calcium if needed.
More on Blossom End Rot. |
| Leaves, yellow and spotted |
The most likely cause is a fungal disease caused by a combination of
moisture on the leaves, heat, and high humidity.
Use a fungicide before problems occur. Water directly to the roots. If you
do use overhead sprinklers, use early in the day to allow the leaves to dry
before nightfall. Thin plants to improve air circulation. |
| Powdery white stuff on leaves |
Most likely caused by Powdery Mildew.
Apply fungicides. Use fungicides before hot weather begins to prevent powdery
mildew.
More on
Powdery
Mildew. |
| Stem cut off at/near soil level. |
Most likely caused by cutworms.
Use pesticides effective against cutworms. |
| Tomato skin is splitting |
Too much water all at once. This commonly occurs when a period
of drought is followed by periods of heavy rains. It's also caused by infrequent
watering.
Improve drainage. Water regularly and deeply. |
Important note: Use pesticides and fungicides as directed by the label
on the container. Keep the container away from children.
Garden Tomato Recipes: May we suggest:
Veggie Cages Throw away the wire and hoop tomato
cages. This revolutionary cage expands a whopping 7ft! Stores flat in almost
no space. Try them on sweet peas, tomatoes, pole beans, and other climbing
climbing flowers and vegetables.
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
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