tomato leaf issues

Hi all,
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/flagady15/smilies/help0.gif
First post! We're growing tomatoes for the second year now, and have come across a problem. The leaves are developing golden blotches (see photo). I've looked around for the various diseases, etc online and can't pin it down. The affected areas start in the middle of the leaf in small patches, growing larger gradually. They seem to be translucent, as if the 'green' bit of the leaf had been scraped off a film. The affected plants seem weaker than the others. Any help welcome!
Thanks
Joe

 

Thanks for the advice but I don't thinks it matches up with what I''ve seen about leaf miner or flea beetle damage on google. The leaves don't have the trail damage as with the images I've found of leaf miner, and I've not seen any small beetles at all. Thanks all the same!

We're picking off the worst of the affected leaves, but the damage does seem to be spreading : - (
J

 

A spray with a general pesticide might be best, as the more leaves you pick off the more you weaken the plant.
It looks like pest damage to me also, Thrips come to mind but it could be any number of insects, not all are very easy to see, let alone catch.

 

Thanks Pete. I was worried about just picking the leaves off - it didn't seem to get to the root of the problem. In which case, I think I'll give a pesticide a try. Could you recommend a brand (preferably organic)? Still very much a novice!

 

some pesticides are suitable for vegetables other, the more effective, are not recommended for veg.
I know its along time before eating the toms but its something to consider.

Organic is a tough one - to me anyway. I think you need a positive id to go down this route

 

I'm not organic myself, I'm afraid the organic attitude is, "just live with it", as far as I know.

It might well work and the problem may never become as bad as to really affect the crop.

Regarding insecticides, you dont have many to choose from these days, most have been banned.

I'd just use one that is OK on edible crops.

Of course there is always the soapy water brigade, but I'm not sure thats legal.:D

 

Soft Soap is legal but washing-up liquid is not and therefore cannot be recommended or suggested by such a responsible body as this board.

 

Hi Joedoyle, and welcome to the forum.
Those tomato leaves are not perfect, and neither are the leaves on anything else if you look at them.
Unless the problem is affecting the plants ability to grow and fruit I would leave well alone.
If it's not broke - don't fix it.
I think you'll find everything will be allright.

 

Right. So I'll stop chucking the washing-up water on the roses to kill the greenfly like my Mum told me.:thumb: (I'm 60)
Must get hold of a medium to tell her how naughty she was.:lollol: