Newbie Tomato Grower

Hi

I'm not sure if anyone can help me out here...

I've got some toms growing in the greenhouse but the leaves at the base of the plants have started to turn a light speckled colour. Then they seem to dry out and turn brown. The rest of the plant seems ok it's just the bottoms. Any ideas?

 

Looks like mineral deficiency to me, rather than anything more sinister - like mosaic virus. But I'm not much of an expert.

Are they in large (11" or bigger) pots, or growbags?

Do they get a proprietary tomato feed - check the instructions, but about 3 times a week is normal

Do they never dry out (without over watering them).


Mine looked like that at the beginning of the season when they were only 18" high, and before I had started feeding them in earnest.

 

Yes, i'm hoping it's just a lack of magnesium. I started to feed them when the toms began to appear. They're planted in the ground rather then a pot or bag, will have to keep an eye on them. Thanks for the advice.

Woody

 

"I started to feed them when the toms began to appear"

If that's only the last couple of weeks then I would suggest carry on feeding and see what happens in a week or so. If the higher leaves are healthy, and stay healthy, I reckon that's pretty normal for Tims. My bottom leaves look "tired" fairly early on in the season, most years.

If it gets worse then ... ermmm ... Panic!

 

As long as you've got enough 'good' leaf on your plants they should grow fine. This looks typical of too much sun on too young a plant. Next year try shading the plants from the sun a little more and don't let your greenhouse get too hot ( even on a cool day, the sun coming out can send temperatures soaring in your greenhouse). Make sure you don't 'drown' your plants, too much water is worse than not enough. A waterlogged plant cannot take up nutrients from the soil efficiently.

 

I have had similar to this and just gently ease out the bottom leaves which makes for better air circulation round the plant. Also means that more nutrients go into the healthier leaves and especially the fruit.
John