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Growing Tomatoes

Wilting, curling, leaves with black edges; diagnosis?

17 years ago

These three tomatoes are planted together in a whiskey barrel container. They were slow growing in their original potting soil (heavy clay, no drainage), so I repotted them about four days ago with a better potting soil (Al's mix, as described in the Container forum; a mix of pine bark fines, peat, perlite, and org. fertilizer). The largest and most wilted is my black cherry. This was the healthiest plant before repotting.

It wilted almost immediately after repotting and has revived almost completely a few times, but it always wilts again. We had a lot of rain last night, and the black cherry looked almost fully revived this morning. Within an hour or so of moving him into the sun, it wilted again. The temps are only around 70 today.

The black edges first appeared today, and they appeared on all three plants.

The other two (above) don't seem to have the wilting response, though.

At first, I thought the droopiness was just lack of water (in the new, fast draining soil), but the soil appears to be moist. The newest, uppermost sets of leaves on all plants seem to look the best; they are perky and have no black edges.

Thanks in advance for your help!

veggiedreams

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Comments (4)

elkwc
17 years ago
Have these plants been in the sun and wind? Did you harden off? Did you move them into shade for a few days after transplanting or just put back in full sun? The answers to these questions will help with the answers to your problems. I would think possible transplant shock could be part of it. JMO. Jay
veggiedreams
Original Author
17 years ago
I acquired these plants about 6 weeks ago; they were healthy when I got them. I hardened them off over the course of a week or so by taking them outside a little longer each day, first into a sheltered location and gradually into full sun.

I planted them during the first week of april into the whiskey barrel. They were in the whiskey barrel (in orig. poor potting soil) for three weeks. The soil was so poor that after I watered it initially, it remained saturated for 3 wks! (This is what prompted me to do the second transplanting into better soil.) During this time they were in a location that received midday and afternoon sun (our temps have been moderate this spring). A few breezy days, but they seemed to handle it fine. They were a rich green color and looked healthy. However, they grew very little during this time. The black cherry grew the most, putting out one full set of new leaves (in 3 wks).

A few days ago, I transplanted the three into the new soil. The blk cherry drooped immediately. The others looked ok until today. During the last few days, I've sheltered them somewhat from sun and wind. The temps have been normal (upper 70s/upper50s). Last night a thunderstorm passed through, nothing too severe. They looked pretty good when I went out this morning, so I moved them into the sun. But they went downhill as the day progressed.

Could this just be trauma from the second transplanting? Could the black edges be something fungal? It's hard to know, with this new soil, if they're getting enough moisture or too much. It IS draining well, though.

Thanks again!
veg
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carolyn137
17 years ago
Could this just be trauma from the second transplanting? Could the black edges be something fungal? It's hard to know, with this new soil, if they're getting enough moisture or too much. It IS draining well, though.

*****

Yes to the first question and no to the second question.

I'd baby them now and keep them out of the sun and wind and any heavy rains until the roots have had a chance to adapt and be able to take up water and nutrients.

Carolyn
sprtsguy76
16 years ago
Looks like it could be late or early blight, which is a fungus disease. I had this disease and had to destroy all of my plants. Overhead watering, rain, cool days and nights can be a factor. Its in the soil. I've done alot of research and its growing problem. If your not willing to destroy the plant or plants try using a copper anti-fungus soap.

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