Topic: Tomatoes

Tomatoes 

We have always had abundant crops of tomatoes but this year our tomatoes are not growing and look sickly and display a purplish colour are they short of something?

Re: Tomatoes 

maybe pysllid damage. it has devastated my tomatoes this year , have never seen it b4, tops go yellow and leaves wither, plant has sugar like grains all over from the pysllid.Once infected the plant is doomed it seems. First sign of attack the leaves stood up and went purple underneath and the plant had purple viens all of a sudden. then they yellow and wither then plant dies or catches other diseases as well. This has depleted my heirloom seed stock, reports on the net are that NZ organic growers are having big trouble with this pest as well as commercial growers. Commercial growers are using Avid + mineral oil with the most success according to MAF, I have been using neem oil and pyrethrium and not on top as yet. Im pulling out all my plants and starting again this time I will use a systemic out of desparation, I m also considering diatomaceous earth (water soluable) Wallys food sound like the best plan to keep plant healthy and might make them more resistant , I also heard epsom salts and sea weed are good to use as the pysllid dont like seaweed, so try that as well as a spray on. Its going to be a problem now so I hope others feed information , healthy plant are a must so wally's food sounds good along with the neem oil granules and a spray of neem and pyrethium + the sea weed might control this nasty in the home garden would like to know what wally has in mind??.

Re: Tomatoes 

Hi charliewill,

For years I had grown amny varieties of tomatoes including heirlooms without any significant issues. Last year I had the worst crop of tomatoes I have ever grown. I didn't see physillid, but assume from what I have read that they had something to do with it. They had everything from yellowed leaves, purplish spots, yellow spots, sugary coatings, general decline, low fruiting, wilt.........

This year I have moved them to an area of the vegetable garden where I have had my best success in a prior year. I have mulched with peastraw to stop spores splashing onto the leaves from the soil. I have removed the bottom leaves to improve airflow, and before planting used quite a lot of Neem granules (Wallys) before planting.

So far so good, although some varieties are failing to thrive ie super beefsteak - just not putting on sufficient growth. However right next to them 'Aunt Ruby's German Green' also a beefsteak type are 2m tall and thriving!

I'm not going to hold my breath as it could all turn to custard anytime :/ One things for sure - they aren't as easy to grow as they used to be, and we're not the only people struggling with it. Nearly everyone I talk to has FAR more trouble than they used to in years gone by. Good luck with your re-plants.