One lone tomato

[S. Silver]

I tried posting this but I couldn't tell if it took. I have tomatoes in pots; only a single tomato so far. Lower leaves have light brown spots. For the last few weeks I use an organic seaweed/fish fertilizer once a week. Could overcrowding be a culprit? I see buds but only rarely do I see a flower. Any ideas? thanks from a novice.

[NZG]

Generally the lower leaves on tomatoes will die off which wont harm the plant at all. I tend to pick the lower leaves off the plant up till the first truss.
But you do mention 'spots'. Are these spots only on the lower leaves, on throughout all the leaves on the plant?
Spots (brown and black) usually mean blight.

Is your plant getting enough water and sunlight? Too much hot direct sunlight will burn their tender leaves.

Personally, I only fertilize my tomatoes twice throughout their 'life'. That is once when first planted with some blood and bone, then about 1 and a half months later some a sprinkling of tomato fertilizer.
So whether you are over-feeding it I'm not entirely positive.

You also mention 'over crowding'. Are you tomato potted up along with other plants? If so, what kind?
Or is it just one tomato in a pot? It could be that the pot is too small and the plant is root-bound, which would 'stunt' its growth and production.

Are these buds dropping off the plant?

[The Helpful Gardener]

NZ sounds like she's on the right track. Pick any discolored leaves and throw them in the garbage (not compost). Back off the fertilizer a bit; organics stay in the soil longer so lower assays are actually as good as the big numbers you see on chemicals. Water from the bottom as much as possible, especially later in the day; overhead watering is best done early to avoid fungal diseases. Only one fruit is a pollination thing I suspect; lots of troubles this year with that. I suggest growing flowers near the veggies to get your fruit set (flying pollinators will go from flower to flower, and that includes tomatoes).

Scott

[S. Silver]

there are some flowers growing near the tomatoes (perhaps that accounts for the one tomato...). I think I'll try stripping the lower leaves (light beige spots on them, not dark spots, and only on lower leaves) and watering from near the bottom. Thanks.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Lettuce know how it turns out (veggie humor: )

Scott