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Growing Tomatoes

tomato plant leaves turning yellow/purple

9 years ago

Hi there,

This is my first year at attempting a vegetable garden, everything has been going great up until about 2 weeks ago when I noticed the leaves turning yellow on 2 of my tomatoes plants. I've got 2 Roma plants and 1 beef steak, and it appears to be happening to the Roma plants. The one plant also appears to have a purplish colour on the leaves and stems, this plant is in a 15 gallon rubbermaid bin with the beef steak plant which is doing fine. I thought maybe it was a problem with pests or fungus but I sprayed a 3 in 1 organic spray and it doesn't seem to be helping. There is still lots of fruit on the plants which still look healthy. I planted them with miracle grow moisture control soil that had slow release fertilizer and mixed in mushroom compost. I'm really at a loss, because again the beef steak tomato plant in the same container is perfectly healthy.

Comments (14)

Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
some more pictures
Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
another one
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Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
last one of the beefsteak plant, which seems to be doing fine
labradors_gw
9 years ago
I've heard bad things about "moisture control" potting mix. It makes the roots too wet!

Linda
Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
if that were the case, would it not be affecting the other plant in the same container as well?
seysonn
9 years ago
Too much water, not enough nutrients.

I will get rid of the tray and chek and make sure that the drain holes are not plugged.

Then I will water less and start fertilizing it.
Ninkasi
9 years ago
I agree, not enough nutrients. Also the pot looks very small for this time of year. Potted tomatoes. especially large fruiting ones need a lot of space to grow for their size.
Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, I've checked the drain holes and I ended up drilling a lot more holes in case they were clogged. I fertilized the other day and I've also cut back on the watering. A few of the leaves have started dying off so I hope it's not too late and it turns around.

So this doesn't look like pests or fungus at all?
chewy2u
9 years ago
Your plants are root bound.
rawley_gw
9 years ago
I would say definitely not a fungus. As you are learning, growing tomatoes in pots can be very challenging. I would say your issues are with over watering, lack of nutrients or root bound or any combination of those. Your finger is the best moisture meter you have, stick it in 2 -3 inches, if it is moist at all, don't water. Only water when dry. Use a diluted water soluble fertilizer at every / every other watering.

Good luck!
Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
Is there any solution if it is root bound? Is it too big right now to transplant?
rawley_gw
9 years ago
I would not focus on being root bound as your main issue currently. Are the roots growing out of the holes at the bottom? If not, then it is most likely not root bound. In the current container you have, each plant would have 7.5 gallons and many have successfully grown toms in 5 gallon buckets. Although a 10 gallon for each would be better. I would not attempt to transplant at this point in summer. I would focus on getting your watering and fertilizer in line and then see what happens. It is most likely the Roma is more sensitive to water drainage than the beefsteak.

This post was edited by rawley on Wed, Jul 23, 14 at 11:27
Mizzkate89
Original Author
9 years ago
Makes a lot of sense, thank you so much I really appreciate it! I'll definitely focus on those things.
jimmy56_gw (zone 6 PA)
9 years ago
Looks like EB (earlyblight) too me, Had the same problem but mine our in the ground, I would spray with a fungicide.

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