Curled leaves by themselves are not usually a problem since leaves can curl when it's too hot, too cold, too dry or too wet and some varieties including many hybrids have leaves that just plain curl normally.

If there are no spots on the leaves that indicate a possible foliage infection and no other symptoms are seen I wouldn't worry about it that much at this point.

I can't see the need to replace them unless there is indication of infection. Just spray them befre you leave.

And we'll look for your pictures.

Carolyn

Just to add a little to what Carolyn said...

Since you aren't reporting other symptoms (spots, yellowing, etc.) the assumption is that it's leaf roll. Leaf roll is fairly common under the conditions Carolyn mention especially when there are big changes in the weather. Didn't you all get some rain after being real dry? Leaf roll is not contagious (it's physiological not a disease). It affects some varieties more than others which could be why you're seeing it with a few plants, but not the others.

Good luck.

Randy

Randy, I hope you don't mind but I'd like to distinguish between Leaf Curl and Leaf Roll

Leaf Curl is as I described above.

Leaf Roll has a different origin. It occurs early in the season when root and above ground vegetative growth are out of balance and the leaves do roll.

But it's a temporary situation and as soon as root mass and vegetative mass are in balance the leaves roll no more.

Carolyn

Can anyone tell me if this is leaf roll or leaf curl. I have three plants next to each other that are doing this while non of my other plants do. This plant is Opalka. Also have a black krim doing the same thing and BHN 589.

I have very few fruit on anything but cherry types. I'm guessing us hitting 102 temperature isn't going to help matters.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden as of 5-28-08

"Randy, I hope you don't mind but I'd like to distinguish between Leaf Curl and Leaf Roll."
Oh I see, it's a terminology issue. I've had the leaf roll that you are referring to. Leaves will roll to the point they're forming tubes (or almost forming tubes). It happens early when the plants grow too fast (essentially the plant is reducing surface area to give the roots a chance to catch up). I've also had the leaf curl that I suspect the original poster has. In that case the outside edges of the leaves roll/curl up and the leaf is cupped (kind of like the way you'd form your hand if you were going drink from running water). This condition occurs well after transplanting.

There are a couple of reasons why I use my terms. I've seen leaf roll and leaf curl used interchangeably in many publications including ones from Extensions. Additionally, a young lady came to me who was basically freaked out and confused. She had been told by a tomato expert that her plants had leaf curl (the freak out part). However, several weeks later new growth was normal, there was no yellowing around the edges of the leaves, and the plants were setting fruit normally (the confused part). I took a look and she had leaf curl. When she was told leaf curl by the first person she assumed the virus. So, I decided use leaf roll for both the non viral conditions to avoid confusion figuring it wasn't an isolated case. Also, I should mention that fairly often the yellow part is left out of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus.

However, thanks for bringing it up. I'm starting to think I'll continue to use leaf roll for the right after transplant problem and physiological leaf curl for the problem I suspect the poster has. Or maybe non viral leaf curl.

Randy

p.s. After typing the above I went to Google and did a search on "tomato leaf roll". Several links used leaf curl and leaf roll interchangeably. I clicked on the first link from the Saskatchewan Extension and got the following:

"Physiological or Nonparasitic Leaf Roll:

Physiological leaf roll occurs during wet weather or when transplants are first placed outside. Typically, the leaves roll upward, at first appearing cupped but eventually rolling continues until the leaflets overlap. Overall growth of the tomato is usually not affected. Fruit are not injured by this condition.

Another type of leaf roll associated with climatic conditions is called" nonparasitic leaf roll". (Note: Physiological leaf roll is also nonparasitic). Nonparasitic leaf roll is considered to be caused by an irregular supply of water or severe pruning. It is a temporary disorder in which the edges of the tomato leaves roll upward and inward, even overlapping when conditions are severe. Most leaves on the plant are affected but the condition is temporary, with the plant assuming normal growth habit within a few days following pruning or irrigation."

wyndell - what you have is called leaf roll (aka taco shells) ;). As other have said - due to some sort of stress but not harmful to the plant in the long run. ID the stressor, fix it when you can, and all will be well.

rjinga - no need to pull plants whether you call it leaf roll or leaf curl. ;) And yes, as Carolyn said, there is a difference. And yes, as Randy said, some folks do use the terms interchangeably, wrongly so I would argue, but it happens.

Either way, it is common and the odds are 9 to 1 that your plants will be fine. Just give them a chance to adjust.

Dave

I took a bunch of photos today and my battery died :( so I'll have to post later what I'm seeing. But I'd say that mine looks alot like Wyndellssaw one plant with what looked like burned leaves

Can someone help me out with mine? I have a celebrity in a container, about 18" tall. It's been outside for several months and was flowering like crazy. No fruit has set (blossoms turning brown and closing up) but I've noticed the leaves have started to roll as well. They are rolling like tubes, not like tacos. I've been shading it more, but that hasn't seemed to help. It's really hot here, so maybe my shade still isn't good enough.

I decided to bring the plant indoors to see if it's the heat that's causing this. The leaves look otherwise green and healthy, and I do see new growth. Do you think the cooler indoor temps will help (with blooms and leaves)?

Also, if I have it indoors, can it set fruit? And if so, will the fruit ripen under low level flourescent?

Thanks!

it seems like bringing the plant indoors to a completely different environment would cause even more stress.
mabey shading the plant(outdoors) for a few days might show some relief, it sure couldn't hurt to atleast try that first

katib_gardener - there is something else seriously stressing a "several months old Celebrity that is only 18" tall yet flowering like crazy". Leaf roll and temps won't explain that size.

Blossom drop from temps is one thing but this plant should be 3-4' tall if it is that old. I suspect it is root bound in too small a container but can only guess without more details.

Please start a new discussion so we won't be sending all answers for you to the original poster of this thread. In it give us details of the age of the plant, the size of the container, the growing mix in the container, the fertilizer and watering program you follow and a photo of it if possible so we can be of more help.

Thanks.;)

Dave

Hi all,
Is there a possibility of slight or mild herbicide over-spray hitting the plants? If three plants together get the problem and others don't might it not be a wind blown problem from somewhere else? There are so many possibilities. Check what you are doing. If care all checks out let it continue to grow. Just a thought from an inexperienced tomatoes person.