It's a real pain having to uncurl each leaf to spray off these aphids. I think they're pretty much under control now with the Tanglefoot in place. But... I've just realized I have a larger ant/aphid problem in the rest of the garden. The ants are totally out of control, farming aphids on other plants that I can't use the Tanglefoot on. Any advice from anyone one dealing with a massive ant population in a garden? If I can get the ants under control, the aphids will be much easier to deal with. This post was edited by cjgw on Tue, Jul 15, 14 at 14:36

My four cherokee purple plants came from tomatoes I grew last summer, that came from a tomato I ate in NC the summer before. Last year I had a huge yield from 4 plants. This year, all 4 plants have been stricken with leaves curling up, new and larger leaves. Leathery, really curly little leaves and curled (up) larger leaves. Some small brown spots on larger, older leaves, no yellowing, no dead edges. Growing conditions are ditto to last year. Plants leaves are stunted, growth is stunted. You can see through the plants and overall, the leaves are small yep, and curled. I was told to use Happy Frog fertilizer due to calcium shortage. I don't think this will work. I am going to spray for fungus AND insects. These tomatoes are the best I ever ate, and I've eaten a lot of them. No more seeds available. I should have saved a few.

Thanks Dave. The tomato does look a bit better these past few days. We have had a lot of rain since it was planted so may be too much water has stressed it. As to the tight planting, one of the self-watering container manufacturers recommends this. The tomato was actually planted with the trench method so the buried stem (hopefully now with roots!) extends almost to the far side of the container. Also, it makes it easier for me to get it to the trellis-like fence (the type used for square foot gardens, if you're familiar with them) that I will put in the ground just outside the container. Perhaps the heavy pruning before I transplanted it may also have been a cause of some of the stress.

gorbelly Yep, they're my grandfather's plants from that other thread. Who would've thought that that sickly seedling on the brink of death would have gone on to become a thriving (regardless of its current issues) monster in the making. Maybe 'thriving' is a relative term in this case, but it's certainly come quite a long way. I've found a space outside where I can grow maybe 2. My friend doesn't know if she'll be staying where she currently lives or if she'll be moving, but she expressed a willingness to take some plants if she ends up staying. But, even if she doesn't, I'll be able to get a couple in the ground. You asked where I am: 6B (southwestern Pennsylvania) stevie Thank you for posting that picture. Goodness gracious... looks like I should hold off on clipping suckers for a while, otherwise I'm just going to end up with the same problem!