Suzy's Gardening Tips

Growing tomatoes has become quite popular of late because it is pretty easy to do. Gardeners love their short growing season and that tomatoes are a popular vegetable. Tomato plants are usually very hearty and will grow just about anywhere on God’s green earth.

But, tomato plans are susceptible to fungus, disease and pests. The most common diseases that you will see include those from bacteria, fungus as well as virus. Each of these can cause disease and even kill the tomato plant. Most diseases that affect tomato plants can be a major hindrance to their growth.

Fungal diseases include Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, Buckeye rot, Damping off, Late Blight, Early blight, Ghost Spot, Gray Leaf Spot, Botrytis fruit rot, Gray Mold , Leaf Mold, Soil rot fungus and spotted wilt. Most people don’t realize that most fungal diseases start in the soil and work their way up through the plant to the leaves. If you have more than one plant in the same container, the fungus will likely attack each plant. Carefully aerating and tilling the top one inch or so of the soil helps reduce the potential of fungal disease. Over watering, or not having a sufficient drainage out the bottom of the container, can promote the proliferation of rot and fungus.

Bacterial diseases include Bacterial wilt, Bacterial canker and Bacterial spot. They are the most prominent diseases that are caused by bacterial agents. These too, typically originate in the soil and from other plants. Often times the seeds themselves can be infected with bacteria prior to planting.

Curly top (western yellow blight) and Mosaics are the two most commonly seen viral diseases that affect the tomato plants. The viral diseases also have the potential of causing deadly damage to the tomato plants. Typically, by the time they are detected, it is too late.

Other than diseases, your tomato plants can also be damaged by insects. Insects can cause your plants to wilt and eventually die. Depending on the region which you live; Whitefly, Colorado Potato Beetles, Flea beetles, European corn borer, Corn earworm, Cut worms, Tomato Hornworm are pests that enjoy feasting on your leaves and tomato fruit.

Likewise there are many other kinds of diseases that can affect the plant. These diseases can be prevented by growing plants in indoor containers. Container plants can be easily protected from the outside climatic changes, pests, soil fungi and pathogens. However, growing tomato plants in indoor containers may limit the number of plants that can be grown at one time. Growing your tomatoes outside in containers can protect your plants from pests and diseases affecting other in-ground garden plants.

One very useful, natural solution for controlling most pests and some fungal problems is dish washing soap. A couple of tablespoons of your every day dishwashing liquid diluted with water in a spray bottle works well in many instances. Simply spray the plant and soil with the solution every couple of weeks or as needed.

Tomato plants like consistency in their climate. They do not handle substantial climate change very well at all. Any large, sudden changes in temperatures, i.e. frost, intense heat, lack of water, over watering will affect the growth of the plant.

Note that as a tomato plant matures and begins to bear fruit many of the lower leaves and small branches will begin to wither and die. This is normal. Pinch them off. It is advisable to keep the stalks of your plants clean and leaf-free for about the first 4-6 inches above the ground.

To get help with any of your tomato plant problems, take an infected leaf or branch to your local nursery or county extension office. They usually identify the problem and can suggest a solution.

Despite the aforementioned problems, tomatoes are still a top choice of gardeners because of their quick growth and good yields.