Software
Houzz Logo Print
christacharlene

Herbicide drift/damage or something else?

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

A couple of my tomato plants have leaves that look like this. Does it look like herbicide damage or something else, maybe a virus? Most of the twisted leaves are on the newer growth (top of the plant).

Lower leaves

Comments (13)

  • 10 years ago

    Another picture.

  • 10 years ago

    Check the leaves closely fore mites, aphids. If you don't find any pest then it is most like due to herbicide, either drift or in the soil/medium.


    Sey

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks Sey. Just posted on another forum and they said Herbicide damage as well but I will definitely look my plants over for mites and aphids.

  • 10 years ago

    2,4-D damage.

  • 10 years ago

    Agree 2-4-D drift damage.

    Dave

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Thanks guys. I live on 15 acres and we rent half of it out to a farmer. We have a large chunk of woods that separates our yard from the field. He plants beans or corn every year and he does use herbicide. This is just the first time it has caused any noticeable damage to my plants....unless it is in the straw I am using for mulch. Do tomato plants usually survive herbicide damage?

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    It dawned on me this morning that my husband sprayed herbicide on some Poison Hemlock growing about 20 feet from my garden a little over a month ago, which I am guessing is probably the cause of the herbicide damage. We are not "perfect lawn" people. My yard is covered in dandelions, plantain, clover, and other plants a lot of people consider to be weeds but we don't want Poison Hemlock growing since we have kids and pets so he sprayed. If my plants recover, is it safe to eat the fruit they produce?

  • 10 years ago

    If your plants recover, and that's a big IF, then since 2-4-D is a systemic herbicide it will be your choice as to the eating. Some would, others won't. Personally this early in the season I would replace the plants.

    When herbicides must be used, even by neighbors, then tomato plants MUST be covered first. Better yet, do your spraying before planting the tomatoes.

    Dave

    christacharlene thanked digdirt2
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Thanks Dave. I think I will be replacing them. My husband used glyphosate when he sprayed not 2-4-D so I am still not sure where the damage came from.

  • 10 years ago

    At the level of damage being shown, the plants will never quite grow correctly, IME. Replace them and enjoy some healthy plants.

    christacharlene thanked ncrealestateguy
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I just got home with replacements, I jumped on the Big Beef band wagon for the first time. They aren't my hand raised heirloom babies but I am excited to try Big Beef since everybody seems to love it so much. Thanks again.

  • 10 years ago

    If you mixed manure, composted or not, into the soil, consider herbicide carryover. The damage looks like exposure to 2,4-D.

    See this:

    http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/sfn/f09Herbicide

Sponsored
High Point Cabinets
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars21 Reviews
Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner