Tomatoes“What is wrong with my tomatoes?” Tomato questions have been the number one question on our gardening hotline. Our tomato harvests have been hindered by heat, bugs and disease. Early, accurate diagnosis and correct management practices can get you back to tomato harvest soon.
Stink Bugs. These shield-shaped insects suck juices from fruits, causing white “cloudy spots” beneath the skin. Remove by hand-picking or use Sevin on the fruit.
Blossom End Rot. Appearing as a dry, leathery patch at the bottom of tomato fruit, this disorder is caused by uneven soil moisture. Provide uniform watering, use mulch and do not over-fertilize with nitrogen.
Wilt. A sudden wilting and death of the plant may result from this serious tomato disease. Select resistant tomato varieties.
Blossom Drop. At temperatures below 60°F or above 90°F, blooms may fall off plants. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization. Plants will resume production when temperatures decrease.
Cracking. Sudden summer rains or watering after drought may cause fruit cracking. Pick fruits in the pink stage and allow them to ripen indoors.
Tomato Hornworms. This large green worm with a “horn” eats large amounts of tomato foliage. Remove by handpicking or use Bacillus thurengensis (BT) or Sevin.
Leaf curl. This curling of the leaves occurs in hot weather or after cultivation or severe pruning and does not affect yield or quality. Keep plants well watered and do not hoe deeply around plants.
Blight and Other Foliage Diseases. Several fungus diseases cause spots or lesions on tomato leaves and fruit. Lower leaves may yellow, die and fall off the plant. These diseases are usually worse in warm, humid weather. A fungicide spray containing maneb, chlorothalonil, or fixed copper applied at weekly intervals should control this problem. Your local garden center can suggest brand name materials containing these fungicides. Mulching will also help.
-- Chelsey Wasem