10 Common Tomato Plant Problems

Symptom : This is a common problem on homegrown tomatoes. It initially appears as a depressed, leathery, brownish area the size of a dime to a half dollar on the blossom end of the fruit.

Cause : It is caused by a calcium deficiency coupled with wide fluctuations in available moisture. Training and pruning the tomato vines may also increase blossom end rot.

Remedy : Remove the affected fruit so other fruits on the plant will develop normally. Keep the plants well watered. Mulch to maintain a more uniform moisture supply. Avoid cultivating, or hoeing, near the roots of tomato plants. Some gardeners like to add crushed eggshells to the transplant hole to fortify calcium intake.

More detailed information about blossom end rot can be found by reviewing the
Blossom End Rot Fact Sheet from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

TOMATO TIPS - General Garden Planning and Maintenance

   - Plant in sunny, well-drained site
   - Improve garden soil by adding organic material such as compost.
   - Use disease-resistant varieties.
   - Eliminate competition from weeds.
   - Keep the plant growing vigorously with proper water and nutrients.
   - Keep the garden clean of plant debris.
   - Rotate crops.
   - Space plants for maximum air circulation.
   - Monitor for pests several times a week.
   - Use raised beds for proper drainage.
   - If starting from seeds, consider using seeds treated with fungicide.
 

Symptom : Yellow, uncurled leaves begin to form at the bottom of the plant and seem to work their way up the plant.

Cause : If yellow, uncurled leaves appear at the base of a tomato plant, it may just be a sign of the plant aging and beginning to die off from the bottom up. It may also be caused by a nitrogen deficiency in the soil. On occasion, other factors may cause yellow leaves including pest, fungus and bacteria infestations.These three causes usually produce other symptoms besides plain, uncurled, yellow leaves at the base of the plant. For example, if the leaves are turning yellow or brown higher up on the plant, it may be a sign of early blight. Have your soil tested at a local nursery to confirm the nitrogen-deficiency diagnosis.

Remedy : If the soil does have a nitrogen deficiency, supplement the soil with well-rotted manure or compost, both of which are high in nitrogen. You can also apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Symptom : Tomato flowers fall off prematurely causing very little or no fruit to actually develop.

Cause :"Blossom Drop" is usually caused when the tomato plant experiences a sudden change in the weather, typically when night temperatures are lower than 55 degrees F, when day temperatures are higher than 95 degrees F, or when night temperatures remain above 75 degrees F. Hot drying winds and a sudden lack of moisture for the plant may intensify the problem.

Remedy : Add mulch to keep the soil moisture even. Use BONIDE TOMATO BLOSSOM SET, an all-natural plant hormone that helps blossoms set fruit in spite of poor weather conditions, producing larger, meatier tomatoes with fewer seeds. Use early in the season and get tomatoes up to three weeks earlier. When tomato flowers are fully open, spray regularly for bigger yields all season. Improving weather conditions may also solve the problem without action.

TOMATO TIPS - Rotate Your Crops

To avoid soil-borne diseases, place your tomatoes on a three year rotation schedule, and rotate with unrelated crops such as corn, beans or lettuce. This gives your soil a chance to break the disease cycle.

Make sure you don't plant your tomatoes in the same place that other members of the tomato family (peppers, eggplants, and potatoes) have grown in the past two years in order to keep them healthy. If that is not possible, grow disease-resistant varieties.
 

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TOMATO TIPS - SQUIRRELS !

Squirrels are hungry little animals. They seem to have a second sense and know exactly when you are about to pick a fresh tomato from your garden... and then they help themselves to it the day before!

Because of their sheer numbers and ability to get around very quickly, it is nearly impossible to make your yard squirrel-free. Using a live trap and relocating them is an option we will discuss, but this solution will probably keep you very busy. As soon as you trap and relocate one, there are usually three more waiting to take over.

Instead of trying to eliminate them from your yard, your best defense is to learn how to repel them away from the areas you want to protect. Read about the most popular and effective control methods at Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Squirrels  

Symptom : Leaves are deformed, sometimes yellow, and appear to have a shiny, sticky substance on them. Young tomato plants are especially vulnerable to this "small" problem. Do not confuse this with "rolled" leaves which is a normal occurrence and not harmful to many tomato plants.

Cause : Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that congregate on the top growth or undersides of leaves. Aphids damage tomatoes by sucking plant sap and excreting a sticky substance on the foliage and fruit. Inspect the deformed leaves or normal leaves in the vicinity and you will be able to see these insects.

Whiteflies and spider mites are also nearly invisible insects that can cause similar symptoms and can be treated as described below. Spider mites cause many small yellow specks and fine webs on leaves. Whiteflies will actually take flight when you brush the plant. They may appear as dust or fine residue shaken off the plant.

Remedy : Use SAFER'S INSECTICIDAL SOAP CONCENTRATE or a spray insecticide (there' a great multi-functional spray recommended below) to easily control aphids or whiteflies. Removing weeds around the tomato plants will also help.

TOMATO TIPS - Garden Insecticides /Fungicides

I recommended an excellent organic garden spray below that will control aphids and many other garden problems. It has worked wonders for me and has helped me maintain the organic aspect of my garden.

They are usually only needed when the plants are small and more vulnerable, typically when they are still less than 24 inches tall. Once the plants begin to mature, infestations from these tiny pests are significantly reduced.
 

Symptom : The skin of the fruit develops sudden large cracks, most times radiating out from the stem end. Cherry tomatoes are especially vulnerable to this condition.

Cause : Splitting or cracking typically happens when the fruit experiences accelerated growth, which can be brought on by a sudden increase in moisture after being too dry, like a sudden summer rain after dry periods. Cracking also may occur when the fruit is overripe.

Remedy : The good news is that splitting or cracking does not affect the flavor and the tomato can still be eaten, however unsightly it may appear. To avoid the problem, provide consistent moisture to the plant or research and select varieties that are resistant to cracking. With cherry tomatoes, picking ripe or nearly ripe fruit right before a forecasted rain storm will limit cracking.

TOMATO TIPS - Companion Planting Tomatoes With Marigolds

Marigolds have often been associated with tomatoes as a "sacrificial" companion crop, attracting harmful insects away from the tomato plants. Before considering companion planting your tomatoes with marigolds, consider these important facts:

Spider mites love marigolds, and so do rabbits, so planting marigolds might actually attract pests into your garden.

On the other hand, however, marigolds can be used to control nematode problems in the soil. Select a marigold variety such as 'Nema-Gone', 'Golden Guardian', or 'Tangerine'. Plant the entire affected area heavily with the marigolds, grow them for at least three months, and then till them into the soil.
 

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Symptom : Black-brownish spots on plant leaves; leaves drop off; sunburned fruits.

Cause : Early Blight is a fungus that survives during the winter on old vines. Cleaning up old vines from the prior season, rotating crops and spacing plants properly to allow for good air circulation are good first steps in avoiding this problem.

Remedy : The preventative measures should be considered first, ie crop rotation and cleaning up debris from prior growing seasons. If you suspect your plants have Early Blight, remove all diseased stems and foliage and dispose of in a trash bag. Do not add to compost pile. BONIDE ALL PURPOSE GARDEN DUST can be effective in controlling the disease if caught in the early stages.

TOMATO TIPS - Tomato Seedlings

If you're going to buy your seedlings look for clean, dark green foliage. If the bottom leaves are yellow or brown, or if there are any flowers already showing, the plant is stressed and should be avoided. You will also lower your risk of buying diseased plants if you purchase from a local nursery or farm rather than a larger retailer.

When selecting seedlings, look at the leaves and the underside of the leaves closely for any pests. If you see any chew marks, or aphids, don't buy them. Try to buy the healthiest, pest-free, plants available because they will be the most productive plants overall.

Always plant seedlings in the garden after all danger of frost has past. Getting a tomato plant into the ground when the soil is cold causes it to turn purple (purple foliage means the plant can't take up phosphorus).

If you purchase or grow tall, thin seedlings, planting them deeper in the ground, all the way up to the first set of leaves, will help strengthen the plant. Tomatoes are a unique plant and can grow roots out of any portion of the stem.
 

Symptom : Water-soaked patches on leaves that turn brown, dry and papery are a sign of late blight. Fruit and stems might be spotted or have blackened areas.

Cause : Late Blight is caused by a fungus that is favored by wet weather and whose spores can travel great distances and infect large areas.

Remedy : The preventative measures should be considered first, ie crop rotation proper spacing of plants and pruning to maintain good air circulation around plants. If you suspect your plants have Late Blight, remove all diseased stems and foliage and dispose of in a trash bag. Do not add to compost pile. BONIDE ALL PURPOSE GARDEN DUST can be effective in controlling the disease if caught in the early stages. If the area is severely infected, removing all plants and disposing in the trash may be the only solution.

Symptom : Fusarium Wilt causes leaves on one branch of infected plant to wilt and turn yellow. Verticillium Wilt first appears as yellowing between the major veins on mature leaves.

Cause : Both are caused by a fungal infestation. The fungus is inherent in the plant and is not caused or affected by external sources such as weather or care.

Remedy : Unfortunately there is no treatment for a plant infected with Fusarium or Verticillium Wilt. It will spread rapidly through the plant and eventually kill it. The best remedy is to quickly dispose of the entire plant in the trash. Do not add to compost. To limit the risk of it happening again, seeds or seedlings should be selected carefully. Many varieties are resistant to wilt and although it doesn't guarantee it won't occur, it significantly limits the risk.

TOMATO TIPS - Tomato Varieties

Home gardeners have access to many excellent tomato varieties. When purchasing seeds or seedlings, consider their disease resistance as part of your selection process.

Fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt are two common problems that can be overcome by selecting wilt-resistant varieties and rotating the planting so that these organisms are not able to build up in the soil. Many hybrid tomato varieties have been bred with built-in resistance to wilt and other common genetic problems.

To tell what diseases a hybrid can withstand, look at the letters after its name on the plant tag. For example, the tag in the photo for the "Celebrity" tomato variety is labeled VFFNTA which means the plant is resistant to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium races 1 and 2, root knot Nematodes, Tobacco mosaic virus, and Alternaria stem canker. A plant marked VFFNTA would be a good choice for you to try if diseases have killed your tomatoes in the past.
 

Symptom : Nematodes live in the soil and cause swelling of the plant root, stunted plants and discolored plant leaves. The roots to the right in the photo have been affected by nematodes. The roots to the left are normal.

Cause : Root-knot nematodes are soil-born microscopic eelworms.

Remedy : The bad news...there is no treatment for an existing nematode infestation. The good news...the affected plants can still grow and produce edible fruit. Preventative measures to stop nematodes in the future include selecting varieties labeled with "N" and planting marigolds with your tomatoes. Many varieties of marigolds, including' Nema-gone', 'Golden Guardian', or 'Tangerine', release a chemical into the soil that kills nematodes.

Read more about them by visiting Wikpedia's page on Root-Knot Nematodes.

Symptom : Chewed up plant leaves and damaged fruits that are still unripe.

Cause : Tomato hornworms are large, green-grayish caterpillars that feed off of tomato fruits and plants.

Remedy : They blend very well with surrounding foliage but they can be extremely large and once you spot them, you'll wonder how you ever missed them. We're talking big enough to saddle these big boys up and let the kids ride around the yard on them!. Pick them off and dispose of them by hand.

TOMATO TIPS - To Pinch Or Not To Pinch (Suckers)

Some gardeners prune tomatoes by pinching "suckers", the leafy shoots that grow from the "V" between the central trunk (stem) and lateral branches.

If left on the plant, suckers will keep growing and usually produce fruit. It can be helpful sometimes to prune suckers out so the overall plant doesn't get top-heavy, or produce more fruit than the plant can mature in time for fall. Just keep in mind, if you prune them, you will get fewer, but larger fruit.

You can let some of the suckers stay on if you prefer. It's up to you how you want your tomatoes to grow. If you aren't sure, try experimenting with one plant and see how the fruit turns out.
 

We have only listed 10 of the most common tomato plant problems. There are many more diseases and pests out there. A good gardening reference is a must-have for any home gardener to diagnose and correct all the potential problems they may come across in their own garden. Amazon recommends a few below.

It is also important to note that although some of these 10 common tomato plant problems are experienced all over the world, you may have insects or diseases in your garden that are only common only in your local area.

If you have a problem that you can't diagnose, please check with your local extension agent to learn what treatment is best for your area.

Search for a Local Cooperative Extension System Office

If you are successful in preventing or controlling your home garden tomato plant problems, you will surely be rewarded with the freshest tomatoes on the planet...a summertime delight that will bring you health and happiness.