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Share your tomato plant problems and solutions here...

From the lens 10 Common Tomato Plant Problems.

  • vecchios-sicilian May 22, 2012 @ 8:43 pm | delete
    Enjoyed this lens very much any those new to tomato gardening can avoid many problems from the advice given here. Very well done.
  • Deadicated May 22, 2012 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    This is a fantastic Lens, and very visually appealing; you made me want to go make a pot of gravy.
  • CaliforniaGrown May 22, 2012 @ 2:24 pm | delete
    Thank you for making this lens. It is a wonderful resource for people like me who want to grow tomatoes at home. Those hornworms are insane!
  • getwellsoon May 21, 2012 @ 1:58 pm | delete
    Quite thorough lens on tomatoes and ideas to help grow them well. Thank you!
  • blue22d May 17, 2012 @ 8:21 pm | delete
    Excellent lens. Part of our family loves tomatoes - part dislike. I love a vine ripe tomato....nothing like one.
  • The_Micro_Farm_Project May 16, 2012 @ 11:01 pm | delete
    Thank you! Great info.
  • Visitor May 15, 2012 @ 7:08 pm | delete
    I have several tomato plants that have started wilting on the ends where new growth is appearing. The leaves are curling up but not turning yellow or brown. Does this sound like a fungus or a fertilizer problem? We have had sufficient rain so I know that is not the problem.
  • suzy-t May 16, 2012 @ 8:25 am | delete
    Sounds like "leaf curl" which can develop during cool, rainy weather. It causes leaves to roll upward and become thick and leathery. Itl does not affect plant growth or fruit production and requires no treatment. The problem should subside once warmer weather returns.
  • visitor May 15, 2012 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    Lots of marigolds planted with the tomatoes will repel hornworms, and they're pretty and grow well in the shade of the tomato plants. :)
  • myamya May 14, 2012 @ 8:50 am | delete
    Great lens! thumbs up
  • trendydad May 13, 2012 @ 11:05 pm | delete
    I love these 10 tomato problems..now I know what went wrong
  • Wes Jones May 13, 2012 @ 5:50 pm | delete
    My tomato plant just keep growing and are now over 5 feet tall, but have not produced the first tomato. The limbs are slender and bend over easy.
    Help please
  • suzy-t May 13, 2012 @ 7:29 pm | delete
    Wes, sounds like too much of the plant's energy is going into new plant growth and not to producing and ripening fruit. Try pinching those suckers and leaving only 2 or 3 main stems...
  • faber80 May 9, 2012 @ 2:08 pm | delete
    Precious information on tomato plants problems... you helped me so much.
  • gonzalezdenise May 8, 2012 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Great lens.
  • survivoryea May 6, 2012 @ 4:05 pm | delete
    Since we run into trouble every year with our plants this information will come in handy- thanks for an interesting read! blessed
  • bueler May 6, 2012 @ 2:26 am | delete
    I have never grown a tomato plant, they seem useful though, especially if you want to control your own produce.
  • Blkeeslar May 4, 2012 @ 4:34 pm | delete
    This is my second year growing tomato's, thank you for all of the great info
  • RuralFloridaLiving May 3, 2012 @ 10:11 pm | delete
    This lens was SOOO helpful to me. At one time or another I've had all these problems. Thanks for identifying them and giving us remedies for each problem. Great lens.
  • Timsmansmall May 3, 2012 @ 5:14 pm | delete
    We grow tomatoes every year. Taste so good.
  • ResearchAddict May 3, 2012 @ 8:30 am | delete
    Wow - Great information and I found this lens at the perfect time - right before planting begins.
  • jcamdenbow May 1, 2012 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    I have been growing tomatoes since I was a kid. I have to admit I have run into several of these problems. It's nice to know that there is a resource for newbie growers and season growers of tomatoes.
  • Tipi Apr 29, 2012 @ 2:42 pm | delete
    Tomato growers everywhere will be smiling with their problems solved by you, congratulations on front page honors....and thank you on behalf of tomato growers everywhere!
  • BarbRad Apr 29, 2012 @ 2:33 pm | delete
    Great lens. I gave up growing tomatoes after the squirrels completely wiped out everyone of them two years ago. So I'm off to follow your link about dealing with squirrels to see if you have something to add my farmers market friends don't know. I only have room to grow a few plants.
  • KitandCaboodle Apr 28, 2012 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    Good tips. I just planted my two plants. This will be a good guide if problems occur. Thanks and blessed.
  • Nilakantha Apr 28, 2012 @ 9:11 pm | delete
    Tomato hornworm can be really devastating.
  • kimadagem Apr 28, 2012 @ 2:28 pm | delete
    Thank you for writing this. Homegrown tomatoes are the best - in fact, after growing up with my father's I rarely buy grocery store tomatoes anymore. They just don't compare. (Wish I could grow my own, but I rent and don't have the space.)
  • vegetablegardenhub Apr 28, 2012 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    I'm getting ready to plant my tomatoes in the garden. Very useful information and great lens - bookmarked!
  • MzLiz_dot_Biz Apr 28, 2012 @ 5:44 am | delete
    Here in SoCal we have an awful problem with white flies. Experts say to spray the plants with soapy water, but it never seems to really get rid of them. *sigh*
    Wonderful lens, you've inspired me to try again.
  • geoff May 7, 2012 @ 12:44 pm | delete
    fantastic
  • OctavioMelesio Apr 26, 2012 @ 10:37 pm | delete
    Great Lens... i like it
  • dutchp Apr 26, 2012 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    can tomato plants that went without water for 5 days that sat in sun in original pot when purchased
  • pepper2012 Apr 26, 2012 @ 3:23 pm | delete
    great lens! I was always told tomatoes grow and produce better if the leaves touch one another
  • jenn-barrett Apr 26, 2012 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    great lens indeed. I have had trouble growing a good tomato plant where I live in SoCal but it might because of the one of the diseases you mentioned.
  • nightcats Apr 26, 2012 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    I have tried unsuccessfully to grow tomatoes on a balcony. The plants and leaves grow voraciously but the tomatoes themselves are the size of strawberries and as tough as nails. They are beefsteak tomatoes, so are supposed to be big. Any suggestions?
  • ikehook Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    getting ready to put some plants in thanks for the info
  • JZinoBodyArt Apr 26, 2012 @ 5:18 am | delete
    Great lens! Have you written any articles on how to attract bees or solve pollination problems?
  • DakshaDesign1 Apr 26, 2012 @ 3:38 am | delete
    Great lens! Blessed and liked.
  • cleanyoucar Apr 26, 2012 @ 1:55 am | delete
    Thank you for sharing these very good tips...
  • YourFirstTime Apr 25, 2012 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    My tomato growing efforts were never very successful so thanks for the tips.
  • KathyT Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:30 am | delete
    Terrific lens! We love growing tomatoes, and notice several of the problems you have graciously helped us identify! I've saved your lens so that I can refer over and over this summer! :) BLESSED! (PS: I'm a native of New Jersey and miss those tomoatoes!!!) Hugs, Kath
  • jptanabe Apr 25, 2012 @ 8:35 am | delete
    Great tips - I hope my home grown tomatoes will do even better than usual this year after reading them! Angel blessed
  • LubosLabik Apr 25, 2012 @ 7:23 am | delete
    I don't grow tomatoes.But if I will one day, this lens will be very helpful :)
  • LittleLindaPinda Apr 25, 2012 @ 5:54 am | delete
    I am one of the few who voted like tomatoes for cooking. I am working on eating them plain. It is the single produce I wish I liked. So good for you and low calorie.
  • PaulRyan Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    Absolutely love tomatoes. Reading this made me feel hungry. :-P :-)
  • eilval Apr 24, 2012 @ 5:27 pm | delete
    I love tomatoes ; thanks for all the tips !
  • adibakhan07 Apr 24, 2012 @ 10:45 am | delete
    very nice
  • hypermomma Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
    Seems like this summer I better be planting some of these babies. Thank you for your awesome lenses on growing plants :)
  • Cari_Kay Apr 23, 2012 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    Homegrown tomatoes really are the best! We've been growing them for years. Great page!
  • bloomingrose Apr 23, 2012 @ 11:06 pm | delete
    Back to sprinkle some Angel Dust - and pin this to my How does Your Garden Grow board. Great job, here is for more tomatoes!
  • BradKamer Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    Great tips about companioning the marigolds next to tomato vines for unwanted pests. Thanks for sharing.
  • dann7trdro Apr 23, 2012 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    great work and well done
  • jmatts1 Apr 23, 2012 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    Great lens, thanks for the advice
  • Pinkchic18 Apr 23, 2012 @ 12:00 pm | delete
    Mmmm tomatoes are my favorite vegetable. We grow our own every year and they are so tasty when fresh like that. Thanks for these tips!!!
  • gemjane Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:57 am | delete
    Good info and well-done--Thanks!
  • Dani7272 Apr 23, 2012 @ 8:19 am | delete
    Fantastic information. I'm not a great gardener at the best of times and always have problems with tomatoes so I'm going to bookmark this for reference this summer. I'm looking forward to getting some planted.
  • LindaWhite Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:01 am | delete
    Great lens...will refer back often throughout the season
  • onlinemum Apr 23, 2012 @ 4:23 am | delete
    Thanks for a great lens. I have just started growing tomatoes, so far so good. Bookmarked this lens as I am sure I will need it in the future :)
  • getmoreinfo Apr 22, 2012 @ 11:34 pm | delete
    This is great information, I remember growing a plant last year, they came out really good.
  • Jolent Apr 11, 2012 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    I've been planting tomatoes for years (usually 60 plants, which results in bushels of tomatoes)... but no matter how much I know, I believe there is always room to learn more, and reviewing information is always helpful. Thanks for making such a great lens on tomatoes, and putting tomato problems in a very easy to understand way.
  • mjtaylor Apr 11, 2012 @ 9:57 am | delete
    More gratitude for a great lens.
  • FreshStart7 Apr 9, 2012 @ 10:53 am | delete
    A really nice lens that covered many of the problems that have left my tomato planting efforts unrewarded. Thank you.
  • NYC-Info Mar 31, 2012 @ 3:48 am | delete
    -I had a nice pepper plant for several years. I grew it in a greenhouse setup. I had a pot of small cherry tomatoes and the second season the tomatoes leaves all started withering and dying. It ended up spreading to yhr peperplant and killing that off. I waited a season and got new peperplants. This is very good info for when I next tackle tomatoes.
  • Warren Mar 28, 2012 @ 12:02 am | delete
    Non-ripening tomatoes ?? Insufficient sunlight????
  • Teenysdaddy1981 Mar 21, 2012 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    Very nice lens. Thank you for the info.
  • bloomingrose Mar 13, 2012 @ 11:11 pm | delete
    Bookmarked because you are absolutely write - the best tomatoes are from the garden. Actually my daddy grew the best but he is in heaven, so I will have to learn to carry on the tradition.
  • flicker Mar 13, 2012 @ 10:18 pm | delete
    I'm really enjoying and learning a lot from your gardening articles! Thanks.
  • Scriber1 Mar 12, 2012 @ 6:53 pm | delete
    Love tomatoes and I largely leave the growing to others :-) Very informative lens!
  • oxfordian Mar 11, 2012 @ 2:57 pm | delete
    I have to tell you, this is for me a perfect lens. "Symptom, Cause, Remedy." Great organization, great information and very, very helpful. I've bookmarked it so that when I run into tomato problems this spring, I can refer back. Will Twitter too. Nice job! **blessed**
  • SudokuNut Mar 9, 2012 @ 11:15 pm | delete
    We always get blossom end rot but only on our roma tomatoes, never on the other varieties we grow...wierd. I've taken to just planting more plants and discarding the funky looking romas. Oh and thanks for the picture of that big ol' caterpillar. I got quite a shock last fall when I went to pick up a leaf I thought had blown into the house and it turned out to be one of those things squirming in my hand! ugh! At least now I know what its called.
  • KarenCookieJar Mar 8, 2012 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    I love fresh tomatoes, I can't wait for tomato season
  • awesomedealz4u Feb 21, 2012 @ 6:44 pm | delete
    Good info, thanks!
  • naqglobal Feb 13, 2012 @ 4:04 am | delete
    along with other thing consider to use organic slow release fertilizers so that the nutrients are available gradually over time.
  • Tolovaj Feb 11, 2012 @ 7:59 pm | delete
    I didn't like tomatoes for years, but now I enjoy them and are among my favorites. Thumbs up!
  • favored1 Feb 6, 2012 @ 3:47 am | delete
    Very useful lens. Adding it to my collection of garden tips. Thanks from one Jersey girl to another. NJ tomatoes rock!
  • Steph_Tietjen Jan 23, 2012 @ 9:15 pm | delete
    Nice Lens! I am going to send the URL to my non-Squid, non-Facebook friend who had some tomato-trouble last year. Thanks
  • kathysart Dec 25, 2011 @ 9:55 am | delete
    Wow.. this is a wonderful lens! It tells all I need to know for my tomatoes this summer. THUMBS UP and ANGEL BLESSED... and I am going to nominate it for a Purple Star. That is how much I love this lens. Yay for you!
  • jimmyworldstar Dec 4, 2011 @ 10:18 am | delete
    Thank you for the info. My wife plants tomatoes and several of our tomatoes have suffered from the rot and yellow leaves. Your tips are invaluable!
  • thomasaden Nov 15, 2011 @ 5:53 am | delete
    very well structured lens on tomato gardening. I just love the content because it is so informative and interesting. Thanks for making and sharing this lens. Keep up the great work.
  • 1000-online-games Aug 29, 2011 @ 8:01 pm | delete
    Great info. I had a bad year this year with all rain in June here in Maine. Nice job.
  • Duane Aug 1, 2011 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    Our tomatoes have an issue with what we call 'green collar' the tops are stay green while the rest of the tomato ripens.
    What are we doing wrong
  • suzy-t Aug 2, 2011 @ 6:34 am | delete
    Duane, Ive also had that problem. When the stem end of a tomato remains green or yellowish, it is also called green shoulders. The green area is also noticebly harder than the ripened fruit. This can occur when temperatures remain high for a prolonged period or when the fruit receives too much direct sun exposure. The chlorophyll in the fruit that would normally break down as the fruit ripens, doesn't or does so too slowly.

    This problem is more prevalent in heirloom varieties, since many hybrid tomatoes have been bred not to do this. If you find this happening to your tomatoes, make sure the fruits have good foliage cover. If the problem persists, try picking the tomatoes while they are still green and allowing them to ripen away from the sun. As with tomatoes that crack, tomatoes with green shoulders are still edible. Just cut around the shoulders.
  • kingsrookie Aug 1, 2011 @ 1:36 am | delete
    great lens, now i know how to detect early and late blight :(
  • tara27oh Jul 29, 2011 @ 6:51 am | delete
    well put together..very appealing to the eye.great info.I always kill my plants before i can even transplant outside:(
  • Jocko Jul 16, 2011 @ 10:32 pm | delete
    Every year I learn the hard way about one more insect or disease, I built earth-boxes this year and my plants went from 3" to 5 feet in probably 1 month. Then we had hail that broke several branches that I stuck into new pots and they are thriving. But the original plants were stressed, Then I over Nitrogened them and the aphids and spider mites came. It's a battle but I get tired of those perfectly shaped , tasteless store tomatoes.
  • crosscreations Jun 20, 2011 @ 7:30 am | delete
    Excellent lens about growing tomatoes! I'm growing some this year again, had retired as a tomato farmer in frustration due to many of the issues you discuss here, especially that I was growing squirrel food! Those little buggers kept stealing the fruits of my labor, which was maddening.
  • Gloriousconfusion Apr 13, 2011 @ 5:21 am | delete
    Great reference material - Lovely lens - I'm featuring it in my lens How to Grow Runner Beans and here are some Angel Blessings for you!
  • Asinka Jan 19, 2011 @ 3:44 pm | delete
    This is so informative and well presented. Thanks a million and keep up the good work. Happy 2011 ...
  • outsource123 Nov 30, 2010 @ 6:21 am | delete
    Great lens guys!
  • OhMe Nov 12, 2010 @ 6:05 pm | delete
    This lens is filled with such interesting information on the 10 Most Common Garden Tomato Plant Problems And How To Prevent Or Correct Them. This is a super resource for any gardener and I will be returning, for sure. Thank you.
  • marsha32 Nov 11, 2010 @ 10:29 am | delete
    this is an excellent lens! We didn't have much luck with tomatoes this year at all.
    We seen one of those hornworms on one of the plants just the other day, for the first time. We left it alone thinking it was just a caterpillar. At this point it didn't matter as we've picked the green tomatoes and have them wrapped to ripen.
  • AtHomeSource Nov 5, 2010 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    Thanks for the tomato tips, I had the end rot prob with mine this year
  • Magicality Sep 27, 2010 @ 4:53 am | delete
    Excellent information.
  • Ladymermaid Sep 9, 2010 @ 12:40 pm | delete
    Tomatoes really do add color to the garden ... a wonderful lens on a wonderful topic :)
  • Ed Dalton Aug 12, 2010 @ 10:54 am | delete
    My tomato plants are now seven feet tall and growing, I have then in pots, some have fruit,all have blossoms,When I was in England a few years ago i purchased a packet of seed , and these are them
  • Obscure_Treasures Aug 1, 2010 @ 8:47 am | delete
    Terrific suggestions, loved the hat :) Great Job, You must have put in a lot of work in this lens. Awesome!
  • lasertek Jul 12, 2010 @ 9:26 pm | delete
    This lens encouraged me to plant tomatoes. Thanks for sharing everything you know.
  • Mickie_G Jun 23, 2010 @ 12:42 pm | delete
    I MUST get some of that Bonide All Purpose Garden Dust! Lensrolling you to several of my tomato growing lenses. Oh yes, thank you for featuring two of my lenses here--Green Tomato Recipes and Best Tomato and Cheese Sandwich.

    Giving you a Squid Angel blessing while I am here, too!
  • stacy_mcdaniel Jun 22, 2010 @ 4:39 pm | delete
    I love tomatoes. Thanks for sharing all these great tips.
  • JoyfulPamela Jun 18, 2010 @ 10:49 am | delete
    We try every summer to grow tomatoes. Some years they do well, sometimes they don't. We will have to try out your advice. Thanks!
  • WeddingZazzle Jun 14, 2010 @ 4:21 pm | delete
    Another great lens by you. Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
  • LaraineRose Jun 7, 2010 @ 4:04 am | delete
    My favorite of all vegetables really got a great lens to its credit. Favored, thumbs up and lensrolled to my 'Can it" lens where I demonstrate different ways to can tomatoes.
  • Sylvestermouse May 31, 2010 @ 11:27 am | delete
    Really great suggestions! We do love our gardens. It is essential to know how to care for them properly. Thanks for the advice!
  • sandyspider May 26, 2010 @ 3:10 pm | delete
    Thanks for pointing out these problems. Our plants usually do good.
  • Mickie_G May 26, 2010 @ 3:00 pm | delete
    Blossom end rot is most common on container grown tomatoes. There is a blossom end rot spray that I found is quite useful. However, the best prevention is to use a calcium additive (like garden lime) to one's container potting mix.
  • GonnaFly May 26, 2010 @ 2:35 am | delete
    Great lens. Home grown tomatoes definitely are much tastier. Thanks for these tips.

by

suzy-t

Hi everyone. I'm a mom of three (four if you count my husband... six if you count the dogs !) We live in New Jersey and love to garden. (after all, it... more »

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