Patches on my Toms

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Leafos, Jun 12, 2011.

  1. Leafos

    Leafos Crazy cat lady & barefoot gardener

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    Hello :) I'm new to tomato growing.
    I bought four tomato plants from my local Homebase. Three are in a growbag and another in a large pot with growbag soil. They are in my greenhouse.

    They were looking good up until just a couple of days ago, when I noticed dark brown spots appearing and they seem to be getting bigger.
    The plants still seem to be doing okay, and their first flowers are starting to appear, but I want to keep it that way if I can.

    I can't see any evidence of pests and all my other plants seem to be doing just fine and not developing this problem.

    What's causing these brown patches? I water them once a day, or if the soil stays damp, then every other day.
    I used tomato feed for the first time two days ago, carefully measured and everything...maybe I soaked them in too much of the formula? I don't know.
    Please lend a hand?

    Pictures:
    http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/Leafos89/DSCF0894.jpg
    http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/Leafos89/DSCF0893.jpg
    http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/Leafos89/DSCF0898.jpg
    http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/Leafos89/DSCF0899.jpg
    http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/Leafos89/DSCF0900.jpg
     
    Leafos, Jun 12, 2011
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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Hi Leafos,

    It looks like a mild mould (fungus) attack which isn't too much to worry about.
    It's impossible to have perfect leaves, theres always some marks or discolouration. Your mould is probably caused by the cold nights and damp conditions (have you had a fair bit of rain recently?).

    You can prevent it getting worse, by picking off leaves that have bad symptoms, also ventilate your greenhouse during the day - tomatoes prefer low humidity and a bit of space between plants, but it's quite difficult to acheive in practice, mine are crowded together this year and I've had to remove quite a few leaves for the same reason.

    Once the summer comes they will grow away from this I'm sure.

    Unitil then keep your eye on it in case it gets worse.
     
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      JWK, Jun 12, 2011
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    • Leafos

      Leafos Crazy cat lady & barefoot gardener

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      We have had buckets of rain over the last week, actually - so that's probably it. The night-time temperatures have also been dropping quite low where I am, which probably hasn't helped.
      Do you think it would be worth bringing them inside (to the conservatory) for a while, until this freakish weather passes? I know you shouldn't move the growbag really but if it will help them just while they're young...?

      Also - my growbag is currently on the ground, which is paved. Do you suppose the ground is too cold under the grow bag? Would bringing it off the floor (such as in a grow bag tray) help keep them a little more warm and cosy? :D
       
      Leafos, Jun 12, 2011
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      They would be better off indoors, but now they are in growbags you would do more harm than good trying to move then, you'd end up disturbing the roots or knocking off leaves/growing tips. I would think raising it a little would hardly make any difference. Just a little patience Leafos the warm weather is just around the corner (fingers crossed :) )
       
      JWK, Jun 12, 2011
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    • Leafos

      Leafos Crazy cat lady & barefoot gardener

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      haha okay. Thanks - I'm like a new parent, worrying about everything a bit too much, aren't I? :loll:
      I'll bear all this in mind for the future; this is all learning, I suppose :)
       
      Leafos, Jun 12, 2011
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    • Dave W

      Dave W Total Gardener

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      Plants are like 'humanbeans' and very seldom grow without some imperfections!
      What your tomatos have is really quite insignificant and wont make much, if any, impact on the final crop. If you want to try an 'organic' preventative to what as John has suggested is a mild fungal attack, a 10% milk-water solution might help.
       
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        Dave W, Jun 12, 2011
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      • Leafos

        Leafos Crazy cat lady & barefoot gardener

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        Thanks so much, guys :D
        So just remove the badly effected leaves, keep doing what I'm doing and....stop panicking. :heehee:
         
        Leafos, Jun 13, 2011
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