Software
Houzz Logo Print
grow_em_maters

Help Identify tomato leaf spots, please!

18 years ago

{{gwi:1357581}}

{{gwi:1357583}}

{{gwi:1357584}}

{{gwi:1357585}}

As you can see, i've got a problem. I noticed it first on one of my Pineapples. I pruned all the leaves that were effected, only the lower ones so far. Well, now i've found the spots on another 4 or 5 plants. It's only hitting the bottom leaves. I have noticed aphids on a couple of the affected plants also.

Are they related? If I get rid of the aphids, will the problem go away, or are my plants lost? Also, what would you recommend for killing the aphids?

Thank you.

Chris

Comments (7)

  • 18 years ago

    it looks like Psyllids to me

    Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato-growing-problems.html

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks for your reply, eplina, but I don't think it looks like that at all. Here is info from the site you posted.

    "They give out toxic saliva, which turns the leaves of the plant yellow or purple color. The stem gets weak and this gives a distorted look to the plant."

    No purple, and not that much yellow, just yellow on the oldest, deadest leaves.

    After doing some research, I'm thinking possibly Septoria Leaf Spot.

    http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Tomato/Tomato%20images/septtomato2better.jpg

    Anyone else? I can't find any info that suggests pulling the damaged plants, but should I spray the others just to prevent spread?

  • 18 years ago

    Bacterial Speck or Bacterial Spot?

    Here is a link that might be useful: Try this

  • 18 years ago

    Dave,

    Perhaps bacterial speck. Don't know. Says it effects any part of the plant. My plants are only lower leaves which is common with SLS. What would you do, Dave? Pull them? Spray them and keep an eye on them? or nuke the entire garden?

  • 18 years ago

    ~~~ Also, what would you recommend for killing the aphids? ~~~

    Lots of info on aphids from strong hosing to soap and or oil sprays.

    ~~~ What would you do, Dave? Pull them? Spray them and keep an eye on them? or nuke the entire garden? ~~~

    I'm not qualified to answer much more than I'd have to feel pretty strongly in the likelyhood of permanent damage to my growing site before I would call it quits this early in the season.

    Have you looked at Ortho Garden Disease Control? I just checked the bottle but no list, just says 130 diseases ... Maybe their website?

    Good Luck!

  • 18 years ago

    grow_em_maters,

    "what would you recommend for killing the aphids?"
    To control aphids you can brush them off with your fingers, spray them off with a water hose, spray with insecticidal soap, spray with left over soapy dish washing water (not the kind from a dish washer), or use something stronger like sevin. I brush them off or use insecticidal/soapy dish washing water.

    "Are they related?"
    Possibly.

    The problem with the internet is that you can't see the plant and how it's been developing, etc. which makes problem diagnosis very difficult. Later I'm going to ask some questions that will help with diagnosis. I'm not going to be around for a few days, but someone may be able to help out. Oh, and don't forget your local extension service may be able to help.

    You didn't mention that the plants are wilted, stunted, have lesions on the stem, or other serious issues. Based on that and what I'm seeing I'm going to assume that it isn't a fatal disease like one of the stem diseases or late blight. But, that's based on an assumption and you know what that means. Therefore, the assumption is that it is a foliage disease, the result of splash back, or because of the aphids. So, based on all of those assumptions, don't pull the plants, spray with daconil (or similar products), try to cut down on splash back, and try to keep the lower leaves dry. Also, continue to monitor and observe the plants.

    The questions. How old are the plants? Have you seen any other problems like wilting or stunted growth? How long have you seen the problem? What are your watering habits? What other helpful information can you provide that I haven't asked?

    Good luck.

    Randy

    p.s. I'm also not seeing halos, concentric circles, and other things that are indicators of certain diseases which contributes to why a more specific assesment can't be made at this time.

  • 18 years ago

    Randy, Thanks for the thoughts. I'll try to answer your q's.

    How old are the plants?

    They have been inground for 6 weeks and 4 days. Grew indoors for app 8 weeks.

    Have you seen any other problems like wilting or stunted growth?

    Only thing that comes to mind, is the first plant to be affected did have one stem that was real wilty, while the other stems on that plant were all normal. Other than that, they all are doing decent I would say.

    How long have you seen the problem?

    Noticed the first plant maybe a week ago, or less.

    What are your watering habits?

    Haven't needed to water for about 4 weeks. We have been getting ample rain, but not too much, not too little. About 1 to 1.5 inches a week.

    What other helpful information can you provide that I haven't asked?

    That's about it. I've fertilized twice now with tomato tone, but don't plan on fertilizing any time soon as they are looking good besides this exception. Soil was ammended with some city compost. I have mulched with contaminant free grass clippings. Found a few slugs on the leaves that were touching the ground. Going out now to finish pruning any others that are touching the ground and to spray with some daconil.

    Thanks for any other thoughts. I'll go examine them closely again to see if I can find any other clues.

    chris