Tomato troubles

Virus
There are several important virus diseases which affect tomatoes. Leaves may be mottled and curled, stems may bear dark vertical streaks, foliage may be thin and distorted and growth may be stunted. Affected fruit is often mottled and bronzed None. Destroy Affected Specimens. Feed remaining plants. Try to buy virus-free plants. Spray to control greenfly. Do not handle immediately after smoking. 
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment
 * Prevention



Leaf Roll
Unlike potatoes, rolled tomato leaves do not indicate disease. The inward curling of young leaves is usually taken as a good sign if they are dark green. The rolling of older leaves is usually due to excess deleafing or a wide variation between day and night temperatures. Provided that pests and disease are absent, there is no need to take action. 
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment



Frost Damage




Root Rot
Poor drainage can lead to root disease. Below ground the roots become dark brown and corky, above ground the plants tend to wilt in hot weather. Rots cannot be cured once they have taken hold. Mulch around the stems with moist peat to promote the formation of new roots. Next year grow plants in bags, fresh compost or sterilised soil. 
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment
 * Prevention



Tomato Leaf Mould
Purplish brown mould patches appear on the underside of the foliage - the upper surface bears yellowish patches. Lower leaves are attacked first. Remove some of the lower leaves. No systemic sprays are available. Ventilate the greenhouse, especially at night. 
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment
 * Prevention



Grey Mould (Botrytis)
Grey mould usually starts on a damaged area of stem. Other parts of the plant may then be infected - diseased flower stalks cause fruit drop. Cut out diseased areas and remove all rotting parts. Reduce humidity by adequate ventilation. Remove decaying leaves and fruit. Avoid overcrowding. No systemic sprays are available. 
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment
 * Prevention



Foot Rot
Foot rot is generally a disease of seedling tomatoes, but mature plants can be attacked. None if diseased areas are large. Lift plant and burn. If plant is only slightly affected mulch stem base with moist peat and water with Cheshunt Compound; some fruit may be obtained. Use sterilised soil or compost for raising seedlings. Avoid overwatering. Never plant into infected soil 
 * Identifying Feature
 * Treatment
 * Prevention



Stem Rot (Didymelia)


Hormone Damage




Greenhouse Whitefly




Eelworm




Verticillium Wilt




Magnesium Deficiency




Potato Blight




Blossom End Rot




Blotchy Ripening




Blossom Drop
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Sun Scald/Scorch
The cause of this can be too strong sunlight on wet leaves or fruit. Another reason for scorch is a poor root system, so the plant can't draw enough water on hot days. Spray plants with water to keep them cool and less stressed. Glass in a greenhouse, on a window sill or in direct sunlight will be stronger, bear this in mind. Over watering can damage root systems, so watering correctly is critical, a little and often is the best advice to keep the peat constantly moist. Roots need air as well as water and if the conditions are too wet for too long, this will suffocate the roots and kill them, too dry and the plant will overheat on hot days. <br style="clear:both;"/>
 * Identifying Feature
 * Treatment



Ghost Spots
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Dry Set
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Greenback
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Hollow Fruit
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Tomato Moth
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Split Fruit
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Buckeye Rot
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Nitrogen Deficiency
Compost has the nutrients in it to last for the first months of a tomato's life, but plants will become deficient in nutrients if they are not potted on. Transplant affected plants to larger pots with fresh compost. Feed them with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser <br style="clear:both;"/>
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment



Leggy Plants
Plants grow tall quickly and often look slightly pale. Stems can be weak, thin and don't grow straight. Plants are trying to find sufficient light, often occurs in windowsill-grown seedlings or early sowings. Move into a better source of light. <br style="clear:both;"/>
 * Identifying Features
 * Treatment