Tomato Plant Leaves Turning Black
Question:
In my greenhouse last year my tomatoes leaves went black and crispy. Now I have noticed the same is beginning to happen again. How can I stop this before I lose my plants? Would I need to disinfect the greenhouse?A Northwood
Answer:
A Northwood,I've included some links below to some websites that may help you identify exactly what is going on with your tomatoes. From what you have described, it sounds to me like you have some type of blight problem going on. If that is the case, disinfecting your greenhouse is going to be essential to preventing further spread.
- Repair tears in screens and seal cracks around doors and windows where airborne pathogens can enter.
- Mulch walkways near your greenhouse to reduce weeds and help prevent the spread of soil-borne pathogens.
- Always make sure all discarded fruit and dead plant debris is removed from your greenhouse promptly.
- Sanitize hands, tools, pots, floors, shelves, etc., on a regular basis.
- Wash greenhouse clothing and shoes regularly in hot water.
- Keep houseplants out of the greenhouse during tomato production.
- Tobacco users should be extra careful to sanitize their hands before touching tomatoes to avoid introducing tobacco mosaic virus to plants.
- Good ventilation and proper temperature control are critical for reducing humidity and controlling airborne fungal diseases. To ensure good ventilation, allow several feet of airspace above the plants and use proper spacing between them.
- Prune the suckers just below the first fruit set to maintain good air circulation within the plant's canopy.
- http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1266.pdf
- http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tomatoproblemsolver/leaves/index.html
Ellen
About The Author:
Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Tomato Plant Leaves Turning Black
I lost some last year from the overly wet weather! (FLOODS) I took off ALL the leaves EXCEPT the very top and they lived.
Post By McMillan968 (Guest Post)
RE: Tomato Plant Leaves Turning Black
You may have blight- caused by a fungus in the air. it likes damp warm condition and was bad last year, it is the same a potato blight and could have caught it from nearby potatoes?
Burn all the dead leaves etc. I changed my soil for this year - hope it goes OK.
Post By henry (Guest Post)
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