- jemsister
- Senior Member
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 7:15 pm
- Location: Western Washington, USA
Dumb novice question about dry curling leaves.
My tomato plant looks great overall, but it has one or two leaves that are slightly curled, and the edges of the leaves feel a little crispy. They're leaves on the mid level of the plant, not high or low. Does this mean they need more water? Less? Nothing water related? I have not used any kind of herbicide or plant food. Temps were fairly high last week in the 70s and around 80 one day, and then they dipped to the 60s yesterday and today. Could it be temp related? We haven't gotten lower than 45 at night.
Tomatoes are sensitive to temperatures, so it could be the highs or lows. But I don't think that the 80s are high enough to cause leaf curl. Depends on the type of tomatoes too. Some are more sensitive than others. If it's just leaf curling or rolling due to temperatures, then it likely won't even affect the plant's production. Mine are curling from the heat too, but are still making tomatoes for me. Here's a link about different types of tomato leaf curling/rolling.
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/h ... _roll.html
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/h ... _roll.html
- jemsister
- Senior Member
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 7:15 pm
- Location: Western Washington, USA
I'd say it looks most like Physiological leaf roll, definitely not the viral/herbicide kinds of leaf roll. The leaves are still a healthy color, they are just cupping and somewhat leathery. I didn't think about the pruning, but I did just prune two lower branches a few days ago, that were too close to the ground. I wonder if that's what did it.
Thanks for continually answering my questions, Ramona! =)
Thanks for continually answering my questions, Ramona! =)
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- applestar
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- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
A couple of the Spudakee plants had tendency to get leaf roll in lower leaves when dried out then heavily watered this winter in containers. I left them on the plants, but later on realized they were haven for pests -- aphids, leaf miners,... -- because I couldn't unroll them to inspect or treat. Eventually they became infested and I had to cut them off anyway.
- jemsister
- Senior Member
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 7:15 pm
- Location: Western Washington, USA
I think in my case it was the pruning. It's pretty much recovered. I haven't seen any pests, but a fair number of garden spiders. They're babies now, but ugh... they grow to be so big and creepy! Anyway, the plant is growing like ninety and seems to be in great shape! I water at the roots. I trench-planted, so I'm able to water without getting near the leaves. We do still get plenty of rain in June, though. I have only watered a couple of times in the last ten days, because even when it's not rainy, it stays cool, and the ground retains moisture very well.