Something inside the leaves?

12 years ago

My tomatoes are languishing and I'm not sure why. To me, it looks like there is some kind of problem inside the leaves. It's not a classic miner type of thing, it looks more like something eating the fleshy parts of the leaves and leaving the veins. But then again, some of the veins look purplish so it might be psyllids. The tomatoes also have a lot of spider webs near them. Yes, spider webs because I can see the spiders in them, so it's not scale. I am at a total loss on how to treat them since I don't want to use something systemic on something I eat, not to mention the impacts on beneficials. I could apply something to the outside to prevent more bugs from getting in, but I'm not sure about that either, if that isn't going to do any good.

I have read about something called "Spinosad" online and I could try that if I knew for sure what my problem was. Any help on diagnosis and treatment? I can't see an actual bug so this is kind of difficult. It's just starting and I want to try and nip it in the bud if I can. I will be broken hearted if I loose these special tomatoes. They are golden romas, BTW! I started them from seed. They are growing in pots. We put them next to a straw bale bed and they may have picked up this malaise from the straw.

The main symptom is purplish veins, but only on some leaves, and the leaves are becoming less turgid, curling slightly along the margins, just look like they aren't doing well and I can see some whitish areas between the leaf cuticle. No yellowing or distinct curling. At this point, no sign of those little white mites on the outside.

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
12 years ago
Could you post pics please. From just the description it could be many different issues - including nutrients as purpling is normally associated withboth low P and several of the micro-nutrients.

Dave
lpinkmountain
Original Author
12 years ago
I don't have a camera at all, not on phone and my digital one broke. The tomatoes were planted in a mix of fresh potting soil, compost and well composted cow manure mixed with sand. I'm not sure the details of the malaise would show up with the average photo either. I can try and borrow a camera but it may take a while. I thought about fertilizing them and hoping they could outgrow the problem but I don't want to overstimulate them. I imagine romas are heavy feeders though. They've been in the pots about a month.
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digdirt2
12 years ago
If they are in containers then the odds are they definitely need some feeding. Nutrients leach out of containers every time you water.

And organic supplements like compost and manures can only supply nutrients if there is an active soil micro herd - which don't exist in containers. Liquid organics work well when applied regularly, dry or granular ones, not so much. I'd sure try giving them a good liquid supplement feeding - the more balanced the better - and see if things don't improve. Many of the more common nutrient deficiencies mimic other issues.

Dave
lpinkmountain
Original Author
12 years ago
Well I went out there this afternoon and saw the little grey mites flying around. Also checked the signs online at the Missouri Botanical Garden Web site, and that is pretty much what I'm up against. The infestation is really bad. Now I really don't know what to do. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with constant spraying with Neem oil, and seems like that would be bad for tomatoes, to have wet leaves all the time. I have got to do something fast or I will loose my babies!
lpinkmountain
Original Author
12 years ago
Forgot to link this, this is the Web site I'm using for a reference, and my leaves look like the ones in the photos. Plus like I mentioned, I saw the bugs this time. The spiders must be my friendly predators trying to help!

Spider mites outdoors, Missouri Botanical Garden
ncrealestateguy
12 years ago
Spider mites do not fly, so you are seeing something else. And, they do not chew/eat the leaf flesh as you are describing. They suck the juice out of the leaves.