|
| I think my tomato plant has some sort of nutrient deficiency..but I'm not sure which one. I have a Bonny Best tomato plant in a container, fertilized with 6-18-6 spikes (although it doesn't mention micronutrients, so it may be entirely lacking in anything except the big three). I water pretty much daily since it's very hot here.
Bascally, the older leaves on the plant seem to be just fine while all the young leaves are yellow/yellowing. Most of the yellowing is interveinal chlorosis, although a lot of the leaves also have tip burn around the edges. From what I've read, the nutrient deficiency is in one of the "immobile" nutrients since only the young leaves appear to be infected. Many of the leaves are also curling. I think it may be one of these: Iron
I may also be overwatering, which I've read can make it hard for both iron and calcium to be taken up. I'll lay off the watering and see if that helps too. Here are some pictures of what the problem looks like. I was having a hard time taking pictures of accurate coloring, it comes out either too yellow or too dark. But it gives a decent idea: Comparison of young leaves to the older leaves.
Some young leaves with interveinal chlorosis
More young vs. old:
Any ideas? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by polyfractal 8 (My Page) on Sun, May 27, 12 at 18:06
| For environmental context, I live in Charleston, South Carolina. Our temperatures have been between 70-85F during the day, and around 60-75F at night. |
|
- Posted by suncitylinda 9A (My Page) on Sun, May 27, 12 at 21:21
| Unfortunately, I am wondering if that is Tomato Yellow Curly Top Virus? Google it and compare. Hope not! |
|
| Of the 3 you list it is iron deficiency that would affect the color but I would first look to your nitrogen. Those fertilizer spikes are not nearly as long lasting as you may think, especially in containers that are heavily watered, and are not sufficient over the long term. Heavily watered containers often need regular weekly feeding. Dave |
|
- Posted by missingtheobvious Blue Ridge 7a (My Page) on Sun, May 27, 12 at 22:10
| If it's not a mineral deficiency, I believe the disease in question would be Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus rather than Curly Top Virus. AVRDC -- World Vegetable Center I see some leaflet cupping in polyfractal's photos, but I don't see the stunted, shortened leaflets from the TYLCV photos. That might mean polyfractal's tomato doesn't have TYLCV. But of course I'm not an expert. [I thought I remembered polyfractal saying he was downstate in North Carolina, and found a 2002 report of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus in Henderson County (NC), where they do grow a lot of commercial tomatoes. That's a bit too close for comfort! Nematodes in Polk County, too. WNC is just chock-full of tomato peril.] |
|
- Posted by suncitylinda 9A (My Page) on Sun, May 27, 12 at 22:50
| Thanks Missing, It is TYLCV I was thinking of. Never had it just heard about it around these forums and have seen the pix. |
|
- Posted by homegardenpa PA Zone 6 (My Page) on Mon, May 28, 12 at 8:33
| I would like to add a quick note: In general, tomato viruses are fairly rare and generally need insects to spread them from somewhere nearby. That being said, container plant nutrient deficiencies are very common - unless you choose to do a closed system like earth-tainers, etc. More than likely, adding a good water-soluble balanced fertilizer (one with micro-nutrients) will clear up the issue. You could also add a little epsom salts during one of your subsequent waterings - and that would more than likely help things along. If it is a virus (which I'm fairly skeptical of) then there's really nothing you can do other than to toss the plant. If it's not, then adding nutrients will fix the issue. |
|
- Posted by polyfractal 8 (My Page) on Mon, May 28, 12 at 9:14
| Thanks for the responses everyone! I'll start treating it as an overwatering/nutrient deficiency problem and see if that clears up the problem. I didn't realize that fertilizer spikes depleted so quickly in containers. That could very well be my problem. I'll start supplementing with some soluble fertilizer w/ micronutrients. I'm pretty sure it isn't a lack of nitrogen since there are a lot of lower (older) leaves that are remaining robust and dark green. If I understand correctly, nitrogen will be translocated to higher leaves when there is a deficiency, so all lower leaves will yellow, not just the youngest. Here's to hoping it isn't a virus :) Thanks again! |
|
| nitrogen since there are a lot of lower (older) leaves that are remaining robust and dark green. True but N deficiency shows up in NEW growth, not old growth. Yellowing of old growth is almost always over-watering. Dave |
|
- Posted by polyfractal none (My Page) on Mon, May 28, 12 at 10:47
| Oooh, ok, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. The tomato spikes are really low in nitrogen too, so combined with being used faster than I expected maybe my plants are just starved of nitrogen. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing Tomatoes Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.