Tomato Growing 2024

Interesting - it's not something I've come across before, so good to learn about it.
Hope it can be got under control

 

Yes, I do grow mine under glass....tomato/potato (same family) blight being the main obstacle to growing outdoors. Also, you're at the mercy of the present, unpredictable climate.

One tip I would share (this may have helped with your current problem) I wouldn't plant outdoors until mid-June.
I would further suggest growing under glass if possible.

Btw, I've checked this since I posted my suggested fungus killer. The trade name is 'Provanto' not 'Provado'.

 

Well, next year I might sow them a bit later, or leave them inside the house a bit longer. They grew pretty well and were quite tall so I thought I'd give it a go... That's exactly the one I bought, but it's a bit strange because I can't really find much about how and when to use it. It says don't use near ponds, because it could contaminate them. But then it's ok to spray it on leaves and let it soak into the soil. Seems a bit interesting. I have sprayed it today so will see how it goes, if I won't see any improvement I will cut all the infected leaves off before my holiday next weekend and see what happens. Worse case scenario will get few plants, after holidays, from B&Q or some other garden centre.

 

Afraid I can't help with the application of your fungus treatment, as it isn't something I normally have to deal with. As I said, there are several different ones on the market. Having said that, I would have expected the instructions to be more explicit.

Getting back to basics. It would be worth remembering that the tomato is a native of Peru, therefore will not tolerate low temperatures.
It's tempting to plant them outside on a sunny springtime day, but it has to be remembered that they will struggle when the temperatures plummet at night.

I've been gardening (including growing tomatoes) continuously for 70+ years, so there are few mysteries left.
Based on the above, I've worked out that planting out my tomatoes in a cold greenhouse during the second week May & outdoors a month later, this optimises your chances of success.

Btw, sowing the seed (indoors) on the last day of March, usually produces healthy plants ready for planting out at the aforementioned times.

Alternatively, and to save a lot of hassle, you could buy your plants at the appropriate time.

 

That's how mine are done @David K - sown inside in late March, grown on, repotting as needed, then out to the little growhouse around mid to end of May. The difference is - they stay there as our weather isn't always ideal through summer for a reliable crop - wind/rain too frequent, and often quite low daytime temps as well as night time.
The last few summers have been much hotter, and we're getting more frequent, longer dry spells, so I've experimented with having a couple outside. They're still in a sheltered spot in beside the gr'house, but it's been fairly successful - so far.

 

Regarding the fungicide, I don't think I would spray if they were mine, I'd hold off and hope for better weather for at least a couple of weeks, plants often grow out of these problems as conditions improve and and the roots get moving.
If you do spray you would need to spray the whole plant as it's probably a systemic fungicide, it needs to be one that is suitable for edible plants and will have a last spray date before cropping.
Most sprays say don't use near ponds as if it contaminates the water it could kill wildlife. The active ingredients break down over time which is why you have an interval between last spray and cropping.

 

DBB doing what it does. Hoping for proper tomato sandwiches before July.

 

I agree, spraying should always a last resort, and no substitute for a good growing regime.

Worth noting that the last bumper, outdoor tomato growing season, was 2022.....Remember? 40c temperatures and all that.

 

Actually I had better outdoor crops years ago, these days blight has always come in, sometimes as early as August.
I grew toms for years outside without even seeing blight some years into late Oct, but not these days.

 

Nothing, as yet. It's in 50/50 peat/peat free.

 

I have sown mine first week in march, so definitely too early. Well didn't expect first year to be perfect, lesson learned for next time.

Should have joined this forum earlier

 

Would you cut the infected leaves off though? Or will the plant deal with it on its own if I won't spray it anymore? Some leaf branches has only like one or two infected leaves.

 

It doesn't look like a massive problem to me TBH, I'd leave alone and watch the situation, if you see it taking over or getting worse, go for the spray, but if you can i'd not want to spray this early.
I think the planting out tips of waiting at least until June and then during a forecasted spell of dry weather is probably something best adhered to.

 

I would never use a systemic spray of any kind on any plant that is going to produce something for me to eat.
Even if I was assured it was safe - I know that it will have some residue from the systemic spray and with that in mind I couldn't eat it with any degree of pleasure.

I'd use pyrethrum as an insecticide if I really felt I had to, but probably not on produce.

Some 50+ years ago everything was sprayed on our big veg patch at home. Even as a child I was the main gardener and grew all the produce (except the tomatoes, mum grew them) - and just about everything got sprayed with DDT and other dreadful concoctions as was always recommended all those years ago.
It all tasted delicious of course - and no bugs whatsoever anywhere