herbeapuce: I did not fertilize them yet.

First, take soil samples and send them to a soil analysis lab. I would bet there's some kind of serious issue with your soil.

Unfortunately, your plants are in bad enough shape that you can't afford to wait for results before you do something. Fertilize them ASAP. Use a balanced general plant fertilizer for now, but once they recover a bit and start putting on some new growth, use the soil test results to determine how you need to fertilize them. Or if you can't get the soil tested, switch to a tomato-specific fertilizer after the plants recover and put on some growth. Tomato-specific fertilizer usually has more P and K compared to N than general all-purpose fertilizers to promote flowering and fruiting.

I recommend you give them liquid fertilizer right now, as they are badly in need of nutrients. Be prepared for the possibility that you may need to buy replacement plants for some of them.

What medium are you growing them in? Is this just your garden soil, or did you fill your beds with something? Did you amend it with anything?

Hi gorbelly and thank you for your help.

the seeds were started in premium potting soil, or so it is written on the bag. I know it's not the best soil to use. I should have used a lighter soil like a seed starting soil, the soil in my garden should be pretty good. it is a mixture of compost and black hearth. I usually get got results in my garden.

I usually start my seeds in plastic cups from the dollar store. I make holes and I usually put a good 1.5 inch of natural cat litter ( like clay ) in the bottom of each cup for good drainage. this year I didn't do this. and I think I may have over watered the young plants. they were doing good but eventually all started getting sick and changing colors at the same time.

I fallowed you recommendation and just fertilized them this morning with 15-15-30 that I had. ( Says tomato- vegetable fertilizer)

and yes I'm prepared the pull them out soon and replace them with healthy plants... ( I wish my bigzac will survive because I usually win the biggest tomato contest we have each year between neighbors ( $1.00 is the grand price)

here are 2 more pictures showing the tip of the leaves drying out.

Wish me luck. thanks . stef.

Oh, sorry--I misread your post and thought you said the plants WERE doing well until you planted out and then they started to look like that.

Now that I understand better, I think they were just extremely nutrient-deficient in their starter pots. Now that they've had a good feeding and are in the ground, I think chances are good that at least some will recover quickly.

A decent potting mix shouldn't need special drainage at the bottom. And clay litter can easily become a solid glop of wet clay that blocks drainage holes. So I don't know that I would blame the lack of cat litter for this year. Did you fertilize them at all before you planted them out? Did you maybe use a different mix this year for your seedlings than in the past? Perhaps a mix that doesn't have any fertilizer in it, whereas in the past you used a mix with fertilizer? Because normally, one does need to start feeding seedlings lightly once they get true leaves on them, or nutrient deficiency can easily result. I'm surprised you didn't run into nutrient issues in the past if you're not fertilizing your seedlings.

Re: seed starting mix--it's more the fine but well-draining texture and the fact that it's free of potential pathogens that makes it good. I've used a good, fluffy regular soilless potting mix that I screen for any larger fragments for starting seedlings, and it worked fine.

you are probably right regarding adding cat litter for drainage. (( I stole the idea from my aquarium setup. it is known that adding cat litter underneath the top layer of stone will help your natural plants to grow ) Some years I added crushed stone, but this is only cause I was to cheap or lazy to go and look for a good seeding medium. Next year I guaranty you I will buy the best possible seeding soil.

and yes it is highly probably I used a different potting soil this year.

I only fertilized them once and this was just now. nothing before today.

so next spring it will .... A- a good soilless seed starter and B-fertilizer after the first true leaves... :-)

thanks for your help

stef.

I found this article about purple underneath leaves and bronze coloring... this could very much be a phosphorus deficiency.... hopefully it is not the curly top virus...( I don't think is it because this condition started inside. I don't think the plants were exposed to the bug inside my house ...)

and the fact that I put them outside to early also....

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/causes-tomato-plants-purple-41716.html

Slight to moderate purpling from phosphorus deficiency is common in seedlings and in plants in cold conditions, even when they're fed appropriately. Yours do, however, show a more severe case of P deficiency. That combined with the sickly ecru cast to the green and necrotic tips/edges says severe nutrient deficiency to me.

I wouldn't worry about BCTV unless new growth is very distorted and the purple is concentrated mostly in the veins. Note that the newer growth currently on the plant could be distorted due to nutritional issues and/or environmental conditions. If new growth going forward looks normal, you're fine.

You said its been cold. How cold? Have you had any frosts? That could be what is causing the leaves to dry out. Also could partially be the reason why stems are purple.

it was cold , but no frost. we had quite a few nights at 8 Celcius or 46 farehiegth , and days at 14C or 57F.... But I'm happy to report that the plant are getting better and growing a new leave. I did put 15-15-30 and bone meal..... thanks guys.

Glad to hear they're recovering. Keep us posted.