Tomato Leaf Curl

[blue smarty]

Hello, my first post here and my first time growing tomatos.

Ten weeks ago I planted tumbling tom seeds and watched them grow rather quickly. Two weeks ago I planted them out when they were a 8" tall. Two are in a wall planted and two are in a hanging basket. They have been doing well and are upto a foot tall now.
As they are tumbling toms I was expecting them to get to a height where they would slowly lean over under their own weight.

This morning I went outside and found that the largest plant in my wall planter had bent right over after being stood upright yesterday. The leaves on this and the plant sharing the planter have both got curled up leaves. There are no bugs and no discolouration. I did give them a good drink last night after a very dry day. Could I have over watered them?

I haven't watered them today and brought the planter into the conservatory, trying to warm them up if that was the case.

[Tomatoking]

Hi blue smarty

A picture always helps when trying to give advice, however after a hot day, I am sure a good watering should be ok.
Maybe its still too cold at night, but they have been there two weeks.
You could have a thin leggy plant, if it was grown indoors, so that might not have helped.
Like I said, clutching at straws here, try to get a picture on, and I am sure someone on here can help.

Mr TK

[janeyo]

Maybe it needs a stake? My tumblers tend to tumble over the side of the pots, the actual stem doesn't bend.

[blue smarty]

My hanging basket is fairing better, one large plant has bent over the side, the other smaller one is still upright, but neither of them have leaf curl.

We had a bit of rain here yesterday so they got a good drink and the leaves are still curled.

Here are some pictures to help diagnosis.

[Tomatoking]

Leaf curl like that is sometimes a sign of too much water, so I wouldn't worry about it yet, but you could cover the compost with something if it is raining a lot.

Here is a snippet from my blog about leaf curl, which might explain another reason.


When tomato plants grow vigorously in mild, spring weather, the top growth often exceeds the root development. When the first few days of warm, dry summer weather hit, the plant 'realises' it has a problem and needs to increase root development. The plant tries to reduce it's leaf area by rolling leaves. The leaves curl along the length of the leaf (leaflet) in an upward fashion. It is often accompanied by a thickening of the leaf giving it a leathery texture. Interestingly, leaf roll is worse on some varieties than others.

Mr TK

[blue smarty]

Thank you, that's interesting stuff. Am I correct to assume that once the plant has developed its root system it should unroll its leaves and continue to grow and fruit normally?

[Tomatoking]

Yes it will sort itself out, unless it stays too wet as that will not help.

[Florence Fennel]

I didn't know that about leaf curl Mr TK. Thank you very much for the explanation.

[Patchninja]

It's really quite fascinating. I had no idea either!

[haza1981]

Leaf curl like that is sometimes a sign of too much water, so I wouldn't worry about it yet, but you could cover the compost with something if it is raining a lot.

Here is a snippet from my blog about leaf curl, which might explain another reason.


When tomato plants grow vigorously in mild, spring weather, the top growth often exceeds the root development. When the first few days of warm, dry summer weather hit, the plant 'realises' it has a problem and needs to increase root development. The plant tries to reduce it's leaf area by rolling leaves. The leaves curl along the length of the leaf (leaflet) in an upward fashion. It is often accompanied by a thickening of the leaf giving it a leathery texture. Interestingly, leaf roll is worse on some varieties than others.

Mr TK

I'm confused as from what i'm reading in the above its when the plant gets warm and dry that it panics, grows more roots and the leaf curls. Is that not right?

[Tomatoking]

Yes it is looking after itself, so don't panic. Basically, it is curling and hardening the leaf, stunning it slightly, so that it can use it's energy to produce more roots.
It is not always that there is a lack of moisture, it is just that the plant has not enough roots to take up the moisture when the weather suddenly warms up.

I hope I haven't confused you even more!

Mr TK

[blue smarty]

Two days ago I brought them inside. They are out of the midday sun, kept watered and misted regularly. There hasn't been any change though.

[iggyboy]

stop worrying about leaf curl...it is not a bad sign in most cases and will not cause a problem with groth of your tom plant(s)

[SarzWix]

I've noticed over the last couple of years that my Amish Paste tomato plants always get tatty and curling leaves at a certain stage of growth (usually when the first flowers are forming). They always keep growing and produce plenty of fruit though.

Sometimes too, the plants can get a bit confused about where the direction of the light is (especially if you move them around) and end up getting the leaves a bit twisted, which can look a bit like curling?

So, as long as you are certain that they aren't too wet or too dry, too hot or too cold etc., then try not to worry and let them get on with it

[VJay]

I've always been told a 5 branch tomatoe plant is best, and to remove the shoot which appears between the stem and the branch. If you don't remove that shoot the plant won't mature to its full potential. This might have something to do with your leaf curling as the plant in the picture looks to have alot of stems and leaves in such a short plant.