skip to main content

Growing Tomatoes

What are some of the common Pest Damage & Foliar Deceases in CA?

13 years ago

We recently moved to California from Massachusetts. I'm familiar with the common pests/deceases in MA but wanted to ask my fellow gardeners in CA of some of common pest/deceases you encounter during your growing season. And some of the solutions you use to combat the problems. Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

trudi_d
13 years ago
Where are you in California?
carolyn137
13 years ago
Same question I was going to ask Trudi since I have many CA friends who grow tomatoes in CA and it really does depend on where you live and garden b'c there are so many ecosystems in that state.

And I'd also ask if the plants are to be grown inground or in containers with mainly artificial mix.

Carolyn
Related Discussions
quick damage report on UDel arboretum
Q
Comments (29)
A few pics from last week. The big Persea palustris which was basically undamaged in the past severe winters. The small thing in front of it (to the left of the Sabal*) is the Schima argentea that I'd already mentioned. It looks like it was about 1" caliper before the first cold winter killed it back - you can see the old trunk that was lopped off. What I'd never noticed is that along the wall was another Schima, that looks to have recovered even better last summer from the damage of the prior winters. Surprisingly, this was labeled as Schima wallichii, which I thought was considered more tender than S. argentea. But it looks better than the S. argentea, perhaps becaause of the wall protection. (this wall is to the north of all of the plants) Next a Mahonia 'Soft Caresse'; I can't figure out whether this one is the one that's been there or a while and was severely damaged in the cold winters, or replanted. It sure looked dead after the first cold winter, so I think it's a replanting. In any case, it's apparently Mahonia 'Delicious Caresse' to the lop-eared rats, because they've almost eaten all of the leaves off. Finally this species Camellia, C. yuhsienensis that I mentioned in another thread. This was the earliest camellia blooming after the first cold winter. Likewise, it was now still blooming well, even though we'd had some cold spells by last week. It wasn't the only camellia blooming in the gardens though, something that looked like Camellia 'Korean Fire' was blooming. Small flowers but I certainly would make place is my garden for such a cold resistant camellia. * - yes you will notice to the right of the Sabal minor is a Butia! I have no idea what they are thinking in planting that. It already looks mostly dead after this mild (so far) winter.
...See More
Please help: what is this hellish weed? (CA)
Q
Comments (16)
Cut with rose pruners to within a few inches of the ground and dab the fresh cut using a Q-tip with full potency Roundup. Pouring a small amount into an old tuna can gives easier access. Be careful not to spill. If it is too close to the ground, cut both ends out of a 16 oz. can and stuff the plant inside. Apply roundup through the top onto fresh cut. You may end up with lots of cans around the yard to start, but this kills to the root so there is less regrowth from underground trailing roots. If roundup doesn't work within 1-2 weeks, switch to brush killer instead, always dabbing only on the fresh cut. This is the only way to get rid of evening nightshade in my area.
...See More
Great Information about pesticides containing OILS!
Q
Comments (2)
That's great information, and just what you'd expect from Linda Chalker-Scott. It's a bit hard to read here, so worth looking at the pdf file you've linked to. I have an old container of SunSpray ultra-fine horticultural oil and I've been wondering if this type of oil will keep it's qualities in storage for a long time. I recently read that it could be used to keep citrus leaf miner moths from laying their eggs on citrus leaves so I want to try it out later in the spring when the leaf miner moths come to life. I had trouble finding this ulta-fine oil online, so I've dusted off this old container just in case. (later...I just looked on eBay and found some so I may not have to use the old stuff, unless someone can tell me it should be all right...it's probably 10 years old). Thanks for bringing up this subject, I always forget about using dormant oil on my peaches until the early ones start flowering. Now's the time to start thinking about it.
...See More
Pacific Wax Myrtle (CA native) for a clean privacy hedge?
Q
Comments (9)
Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' is a lower and slower growing cultivar, often chosen because they don't get as tall as the species. It is more for locations where owners do not want it to exceed 7-8'. Yes some will get a bit taller with time. You are asking specific size and growing questions, but don't seem to understand that there is a variety of growth conditions that are impossible to calculate. Even individual plants, growing side-by-side with the same growing conditions, can grow at different rates. Besides the water, soil, nutrients, individual plant vigor, pruning, root systems etc. over time, no less, we don't have any way to know the quality of the nursery stock you ultimately will purchase. We can give you general guidelines, but not exact growing rates for hypothetical plants and conditions for their lifespan. No one can.
...See More
sumith2008
Original Author
13 years ago
I live in Modesto. I grow both inground and in containers.
carolyn137
13 years ago
So about 100 miles East of San Franciso in northern CA and not near the coast. Good fertile soil or Delmonte wouldn't be there.

Summers dry and hot, winters cool and rainy.

If you lived nearer the coast you could have problems with the fog and what's called the June Glooms, in particular, which can lead to both types of Powdery Mildew which affects the foliage.

You have little problems with the common foliage diseases b'c it so dry most of the time.

The major problem would be some of the systemic diseases such as Fusarium, Verticillium , etc., and possibly Root Knot Nematodes.

Because the soilborne systemic diseases can be so different in different parts of CA I'm going to suggest that you call your local Cooperative Extension and ask them what specific soilborne diseases are likely to be encountered. And be sure to ask about Fusarium and what specific races, there are three, that can be found there. Also, be sure to ask about Root Knot Nematodes and also if there is any Bacterial Canker there or Late Blight ( P. infestans).

Modesto is a large city so there should be plenty of nurseries there that sell plants if you aren't going to raise your own plants from seed.

The timing of when you put out plants, either inground or in containers is also important, so ask about that. I would imagine that plants need to be set out as early as possible in the early Spring so that fruits can set before the high heat of summer.

High heat with sustained temps over about 90-95 F can destroy pollen leading to loss of pollen viability and blossom drop.

Some in your area might do two crops a year, a Spring Crop where you'd grow interdeterminate varieties and midseason varieties and a seond Fall crop where you'd grow short and mid season varieties.

You should be able to grow any varieties you want to. I know a few folks who live inland from San Francisco and they do and they would be to your East, not as far inland as you are.

Hope that helps.

Carolyn, who notes....ahem, very different from Massachusetts as well I know since I'm in upstate NY on the VT border and can be in Western, Mass in about 45 min.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen

Protect your privacy and keep deer at bay with a planting trio that turns a problem garden area into a highlight

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good

By Matt Kilburn

Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Porch Life: Banish the Bugs

By Becky Harris

Don't let insects be the bane of your sweet tea and swing time. These screening and product ideas will help keep bugs at bay on the porch

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Countertops 101: Choosing a Surface Material

By Lisa Frederick

Explore the pros and cons of 11 kitchen countertop materials. The options may surprise you

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Great Ways With Garden Ground Covers

By Matt Kilburn

Use them as problem solvers, weed killers, color and texture providers ... ground cover plants have both practical and visual appeal

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants

GARDENING GUIDES How to Switch to an Organic Landscape Plan

By Falon Mihalic

Ditch the chemicals for a naturally beautiful lawn and garden, using living fertilizers and other nontoxic treatments

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor's Tips: 10 Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You

By Buckminster Green LLC

Climbing through your closets and fielding design issues galore, your contractor might stay mum. Here's what you're missing

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

Sponsored

12 Reviews

Pittsburgh's Custom Kitchen & Bath Designs for Everyday Living

More Discussions

Has anyone heard of a storage tomato? Looking at Giallorosso di Crispi

4

"Purple" tomatoes?

4

What tools and materials for planting tomato

0