More Tomato Problems...Yellowing/dying of Leaves this time.

[JoeLewko]

While outside today trying to revive my Green Zebra plant discussed here:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16221

I noticed three of my other plants have leaves towards the bottom of the plant that are turning yellow and dying. (there are also 1 or 2 leaves towards the tops of the plants that show these signs). I have included some pictures. (The mulch was just put down earlier this morning). Each picture if os a different plant, with the last one showing all 3.

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/CIMG1832.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/CIMG1831.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/CIMG1830.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/CIMG1829.jpg[/img]


What could this problem be?

Joe

[JoeLewko]

I forgot to mention these are heirloom variety: Mortgage lifter and Dixie Golden Giant.

[BrianSkilton]

Looks like early blight, but I am not expert. Try to have the leaves not touch the dirt.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I am not sure about the early blight diagnosis, Brian

I see flea beetle damage. Has there been pesticide application?

My guess would be [url=https://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1266.pdf]leaf mold[/url]; more common in greenhouses (poor air circulation and overly humid conditions, but that describes a lot of the country right now). Milk to water, ten to one, add a teaspoon of baking soda in a hose end sprayer and let 'em have it. Repeat after every rainfall...

HG

[rainbowgardener]

Not to be picky, but I think HG meant to say milk to water, one to ten. That is a little milk in a lot of water, not the other way around. It's late, we are all getting tired and should go to bed.

[JoeLewko]

Thanks everyone,

Leaf mold would make sense, as we have had like 4 or 5 dry days out of the 25 in June. (And even the dry ones have seemed to be cloudy and humid).
I sprayed them with a milk solution yesterday, when I sprayed my green Zebra plant, but I will have to give them a baking soda spray today (as it just rained yesterday...AGAIN )

I'll keep everyone posted on progress

Joe

Oh, almost forgot, I haven't treated them with pesticide this season. How can I tell if it's a bug problem or leaf mold for sure? Just try both solutions?

[JoeLewko]

after cutting off some dead leaves and looking at the plants closer, it appears I have a bug problem. Looked like little white guys, and also some bigger tan beetle-looking things...looks like its pesticide time

[cynthia_h]

Please be sure to get a definite identification on the insects before using any artillery. Pesticides kill *everything* including pollinators--bees, butterflies, and the like. They're also very hard on birds and the eventual food you may wish to eat.

Once you get the identification, there are several effective, non-toxic methods to use which will target "bad guys" much more than "good guys."

There's still time to get the tomato plants back on track and producing yummy tomatoes!

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[Haesuse]

soapy-water spray (as prescribed basically everywhere you want to look) kills a huge amount of bugs and isn't so terrible for the environment. I don't have a specific ratio, I just put a tiny squirt of dial dish soap in a big spray bottle and fill the rest with water, then shake it up, and spray on the plants... not in the middle of the hot day, either.

but, yea, don't just go buckwild with the poisons...

[BrianSkilton]

I am not sure about the early blight diagnosis, Brian

I see flea beetle damage. Has there been pesticide application?

My guess would be [url=https://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1266.pdf]leaf mold[/url]; more common in greenhouses (poor air circulation and overly humid conditions, but that describes a lot of the country right now). Milk to water, ten to one, add a teaspoon of baking soda in a hose end sprayer and let 'em have it. Repeat after every rainfall...

HG

Yeah you right HG, it does look like some kind of leaf mold. Pretty yellow though still.

[JoeLewko]

I treated them with a fruit tree pesticide I had laying around the other day, but it seems the bug problem is still there. Going to try the soapy spray tonight probably.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Good luck, Joe...

Rainbow is right about my mix-up; be as picky as you like, RBG, when you are right. Like about going to bed. Good advice. Night, y'all...

HG