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Growing Tomatoes

Tomato container plants are not doing well

11 years ago

Hi,

I am growing vegetables in containers on my roof top for few months, all of them are doing well except tomatoes.

All my tomato plants no matter what size are not doing well: some of the leaves curling up, some are turning brown, the rotting and dark areas on the plant and almost no fruits.

I don't think its late blight because I don't see white mold. Can it be other disease of just overwatering?

Attached are some pics, I would appreciate any help.

Thanks.

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Comments (7)

lightGal
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is a small plant I started from seed, happening to him as well.
cole_robbie
11 years ago
The holes in the leaves are insect damage, probably horn worms.

Beyond that, I'd guess verticillium wilt:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/tomatoproblemsolver/leaf/vert.html

It could also be fusarium wilt. Here is another diagnostic page: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/DiagnosticKeys/TomWlt/TomWiltKey.html
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There may be a way out. To me it looks like the mix is saturated with water and when that happens no nutrients can be taken up by the roots, nor oxygen. You cerainly can start over if you wish, but you might consider trying to dry out that mix by placing the trays on a heat mat or something equivalent. Then spray the foliage with dilute fish or seaweed prep , both of which are high in minor nutrients including P which is perhaps the one most needed now. Don't add the fish or seaweed stuff to the mix directly b/c what you're trying to do is for the time being bypass any root uptake from the mix, Just a suggstion, your choice. And as others have said in a 7b zone I wouldn't be putting them out in a cold frame or hoop house at this time of year. Carolyn
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edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
11 years ago
Rooftops can be HOT! The small container could dry out in a couple of hours. Most of the problem might be from the heat. Suggest removing the bad foliage. The little plant might be lost, but cut the top off & the bad foliage, and repot it into something bigger....it might revive. The big plant looks ok except for the bad leaves...remove them. Just keep them watered, and I suggest a liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength at every watering. Maybe full strength for the first couple of waterings. The little plant definitely looks under nourished.
suncitylinda
11 years ago
Some insect damage but I think as edweather does, this is heat related. You didnt post your zone or say where you live, but, lets face it, its been too hot everywhere! Can you provide some shade cloth to sheild them from the hottest sun? What size containers are the tomatoes in and did you fertilize with something when you planted?
lightGal
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the insights.
I live in Israel by the shore, so it's very hot and humid here these days.
The containers are in various sizes, from 2 to 7 gallons.
I have water dripping system so the soil is almost always wet. Sometimes I suspect even too wet...
I water them with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
It does seem similar to verticillium wilt.

I have removed all the affected leaves, what can I do next? I have a lot of new seedlings so my concern is that it is something infecting and that they will be infected to...
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
11 years ago
Tomatoes don't have any problem with "damp" soil. Waterlogged water retentive soil is another thing. Just make sure the soil is not soggy, and maybe increase the fertilizer a little. Sometimes the liquid fertilizer will leach through the soil quickly. Try and shade them a little or do something to lower the temperature. Even though they are light in color, those rooftop tiles absorb a tremendous amount of heat and can cook the black containers.
lightGal
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, so you don't think it's infectious disease?

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