skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Early blight or Septoria leaf spot?

10 years ago

Help please, I am not sure what is decimating my tomato plants. I have researched it on the internet but I don't know what it is for sure. I would like to treat it organically but from what I read this is really not possible. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Lani

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

lanidell
Original Author
10 years ago
another pic.
lanidell
Original Author
10 years ago
And another
Related Discussions
Article -- Irish potato famine fungus strain hits R.I. crops
Q
Comments (1)
I saw a similar article today too. Mentioned several states. I've been seeing numerous threads about a disease affecting peoples gardens and not knowing what it is. The word about the blight needs to be spread so that home gardeners can watch for it.
...See More
early blight or septoria spot...other spots..pics.
Q
Comments (5)
All the inner leaves turned yellow first, ***** That's not typical of foliage infections caused by either bacteria or fungi. The spots on the leaves may have a yellow halo around them, but only initially. It sounds more like a systemic disease, but if so you should see some wilting. There are several diseases that can cause lesions on the stems, and yes, Early Blight is one of them, but there are many others. All the anti-fungals in the world aren't going to help if the infections are being caused by bacterial pathogns. If I were you I'd still go to that Problem Solver #2 in the Pest and Disease Forum and find the post that gives the TAMU link and take a look. Or could you post some pictures yourself? I in no way inteded to say that looking at pictures is useless, far from it,all I said was that often IDing diseases by pictures can be difficult. But there are many who have done so easily. Your local extension can also be a great help in helping to ID toamto diseases and I certainly would try there first before going to most nurseries. If it's Early Blight the spots on the leaves have distinctive concentric rings and the spots may be surrounded by a yellow halo. If it starts looking more bacterial after you look at some pictures then I'd get a copper containing prep and try that. If it's a systemic disease such as Fusarium that['s causing the foliage to turn yellow, then there is nothing that can help such systemic diseases. And Fusarium is found in many places in CA. but you should be seeing some wilting if it's Fusarium.\\And yes, there can be more than one infection present on a given plant at the same time. Carolyn
...See More
Early blight or Septoria?
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you so much, Dave. Your input really helps. I kinda put it all together (after hours of looking at pictures last night) that what is going on IS bacterial spot/speck. I removed the plant away from the others and intend on purchasing a copper spray today. Unfortunately the weather has been uncooperative the last few days dreary/rainy/wet leaves. I've been pretty diligent/careful about not watering the leaves. I have learned quite a bit from my tomato growing trials and tribulations. Just hoping to have one tomato plant survivor (of the 5). Also, if we could just PLEASE have a few sunny and dry days...that would help a lot. I think next year IF I do grow them again, I will definately do things differently. Most likely I will buy LOCAL from a tomato grower and also prep their bedding a bit better. I should have mulched and should have put down straw. Soil is good/ good nutrients now. Also, having a raised bed would make gardening a little bit easier too. Thanks for your help, wish me luck! :) Happy growing, to all!
...See More
Jasper hybrid cultivar
Q
Comments (2)
Next year I think i will try a different cherry tomato, I have so many of these, and they taste fantastic, but I'm starting to get sick of them! I can't seem to give enough a way. I need to start canning tomatoes. I'm also growing Indigo Rose. Looks great, taste is OK, not great, but a cool tomato.
...See More
lanidell
Original Author
10 years ago
And the last one.
springtogarden
10 years ago
Your leaves look identical to mine. After spending hours studying pictures I think it is safe to say we both have Tomato Septoria Leaf Spot. The website below has great pictures. What cinches it for me is the description of the circles. Our circles are pretty tiny and with early blight it seems they would be bigger. I am new to gardening so I will have to learn how to take care of this. Really bummed :(.

http://organicgardening.about.com/b/2009/07/05/diagnosing-tomato-diseases-is-it-early-blight-late-blight-or-septoria.htm
springtogarden
10 years ago
Looks like there is no way to treat this without chemicals. I am completely out of luck as I am in an organic community garden, near water and am allowed only a short list of acceptable organic products none of which treat this problem. What is weird is that my tomato plants look great and robust. Just a few bottom branches have this.

http://www.growgardentomatoes.com/septoria-leaf-spot.html
elisa_z5
10 years ago
Looks like there are some organic controls -- some suggestions here on the site linked below. You can cut off and destroy the bottom branches and sounds like all will be okay -- I hope so.

Here is a link that might be useful: from missouri botanical garden -- septoria leaf spot of tomato
springtogarden
10 years ago
Oh Elisa I hope so too :(. Never had a fungus problem before. FIrst time in a community garden so I am learning a lot. I will check those links out. Thanks so much!
springtogarden
10 years ago
Oops, double post. Edited it out :).

This post was edited by gardengal13 on Wed, Jul 17, 13 at 20:35
elisa_z5
10 years ago
garden gal and lanidel - I have two sprays that should help with this and they are both organic, OMRI listed. One is Copper soap fungicide, and the other is Serenade Garden, (Septoria is one of the things it says it works on )

You cut off the affected leaves first, then spray the healthy ones to prevent the spread.

I wish you both good tomatoes!
elisa_z5
10 years ago
Also, there is an excellent thread on the Growing Tomatoes forum about organic controls for Septoria.
digdirt2
10 years ago
Your plants have Bacterial Speck IMO but the treatment for all the leaf diseases is the same - strip off affected foliage ASAP, cease any overhead watering/sprinkling, and spray with fungicides on a regular basis to slow the progression of the disease till you can get a harvest. There is no "cure".

And yes there are a number of ORMI approved fungicides available although their benefits are questionable when compared to chemical controls.

As already mentioned you can learn much more about all this over on the forum for growing tomatoes here.

Dave
springtogarden
10 years ago
Thanks for the tips! I will head over there. Now I am not sure which one I have. I swore I had septoria leaf but don't have a pic to post. Removed and disposed of all affected leaves and I am going to start spraying the only acceptable fungicide by my picky community and hope for the best :).

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING California Gardener's January Checklist

Winter-defying blooms and pruning saws earn a cheer, while California-focused gardening design books get a well-deserved shout-out

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: A Fall Landscape Scene That Lasts

Span the seasons with trees, shrubs and grasses that offer color and texture in abundance

GARDENING GUIDES What Are Your Spring Gardening Plans?

By Annie Thornton

Tearing out the lawn? Planting edibles? Starting from scratch? Tell us what you plan to change in your garden this year

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

FARM YOUR YARD How to Farm Your Parking Strip

By Annie Thornton

Get an up-close look at a thriving street-side edible garden, one of many sprouting up in Seattle

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

ARCHITECTURE Tell a Story With Design for a More Meaningful Home

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Go beyond a home's bones to find the narrative at its heart, for a more rewarding experience

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Actaea Racemosa

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Elegant flowers top black cohosh in summer woodland gardens

Sponsored

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

49

gave my garlic a haircut today

8

Slug killer 1% Iron Phosphate vs. 5% Sodium Ferric?

2

Do carpenter bee traps work?

7

What are rabbits favorite veggies?

11