Hello, I am new to gardening. This is my first season trying anything. I kept it small and simple because I am still a college student. I have a few tomato plants in the backyard, but recently their bottom leaves started turning yellow and wilting. Is this normal or something to be concerned about? And if so, how do I fix it?
Tomato leaf wilt
- Thread starter Farmer Cros
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What is going on is called Early Blight, a fungal disease. It is incurable but it can be managed. It is caused by water splashing up onto the lower leaves and spreading the fungal spores which are in the soil. When the plant is still fairly young just snip off all of the lower limbs and suckers up to about a foot from the soil level and mulch the surface of the soil. Also spray a fungicide such as Neem about once every two weeks until time of harvest. Just about every gardener in the southern US has Early Blight and prevention is about the only thing one can do. But when and if you plants gets EB you can maintain the plant for a complete harvest especially if you are growing determinate plants.
I notice that you plant is a little leggy. This is because it is not in full sun. Also, I see that there are a lot of curled leaves. This is probably because the plant is in much too small of a container. For tomatoes a 5 gallon container is the absolute minimum. Your plant is probably root bound and no matter how much you think you are watering it the interior root system is not getting enough water because it has grown into a tight mass.
I notice that you plant is a little leggy. This is because it is not in full sun. Also, I see that there are a lot of curled leaves. This is probably because the plant is in much too small of a container. For tomatoes a 5 gallon container is the absolute minimum. Your plant is probably root bound and no matter how much you think you are watering it the interior root system is not getting enough water because it has grown into a tight mass.
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I am with Chuck, the only thing I would add is that leaves are the only part of the plant that come and go quite naturally. The root and stem are permanent and won't take interference, but taking off yellowing leaves won't hurt at all.
Bigger pot definitely, it is not just they get root bound, but the bigger the pot the more constant the warmth and moisture conditions, as the ground would be.
It is a great start, have you thought about next year? I always advise beginners to try beans, they can be very rewarding in a small space.
Bigger pot definitely, it is not just they get root bound, but the bigger the pot the more constant the warmth and moisture conditions, as the ground would be.
It is a great start, have you thought about next year? I always advise beginners to try beans, they can be very rewarding in a small space.