Tomato plants - diseased?

[ste_j]

Hello everyone. I'm very, very new to gardening / growing veg, having only just started trying to grow tomatoes this year. As such, I was wondering if you could advise on what is going on with 3 of my 5 tomato plants.

I have started to put them outside when the weather is nice, to harden them off before putting them out for good at the end of May, and some of my plants now have some frizzled leaves - as if they have been under-watered, I have watered them probably once every 3 or 4 days (when the soil feels dry to touch), so don't think that is not enough (or too much) but maybe you could advise.

I guess it could also be disease? If so, should I snip off the bad leaves? Also, any tips in general for preventing disease, especially when they get put outside for good.

Thanks in advance for any help, I've attached photos below.

[Guest]

Are you watering the plants or the soil? The leaves look scorched to me.

Welcome to the vine

[bramble]

Hi Ste j. Your tomatoes look like they have been battered by the wind. Also, did some water get on the leaves. They look scorched. I have never seen tomato leaves looking so black so I am not sure what else is going on with them.
You dont say what part of the country you are living but personally I would be reluctent to put thrm out while we still have windy days until they are sturdier.
Someone else may have more advice.

[johnjohn]

Hi ste, welcome to the vine. I agree with the comments above, they look scorched. If you are able to do so, water from the bottom but I would just leave the leaves as they are for now, I don't think there's any benefit in removing them.

[MarkPelican]

I would say definitely scorched. Either wind or sun. Are they behind glass (then they could get sunscorched) or are they in a windy place?

Young tomatoes are quite delicate. I would leave the leaves alone (the leaves have some green on them so cutting them off would remove that goodness). When you plant them, bury them deep. (I usually plant with at least one set of true leaves underground). If you can bury these leaves do so.

[ste_j]

Thanks for the welcome and replies everyone. I think they must be sun scorched, I have them on the windowsill, which gets good sunlight from just after midday until about 6/7pm. I'm in Bedfordshire by the way, bramble. I think I did put them out once when it was sunny and the wind was quite strong, so maybe that was a bad idea, and they could be wind scorched. All part of the learning experience! I'm sure they haven't had any water on their leaves, so I think I can rule that out.

Should I move them somewhere that gets a bit less direct sunlight, assuming it is sun scorched? Or maybe leave them be for the next couple weeks without taking them outside, assuming wind scorched? Or any other recommendations?

Thanks again for the help.

[Bigmallly]

Hi ste, welcome to the vine. I agree with the comments above, they look scorched. If you are able to do so, water from the bottom but I would just leave the leaves as they are for now, I don't think there's any benefit in removing them.

Sorry to disagree Jon but I would remove affected leaves as they are not doing the plant any good and could become diseased.

[Jungle Jane]

We probably won't have this much sun again,they'll probably be alright doing what you're doing,but watch the midday sun,if it's ever sunny like today have them somewhere out of direct sun in the garden & next to pots or a wall,somewhere sheltered in case there is a gust of wind,have you got some support sticks in the pots?

[johnjohn]

Sorry to disagree Jon but I would remove affected leaves as they are not doing the plant any good and could become diseased.

Ahh, that's what makes it an interesting forum

[ste_j]

Just thought I'd give a quick update. My tomatoes are doing great now and it looks like I'll get a good harvest, just waiting for them to ripen and turn red. In case anyone who reads this is interested, I believe I left them inside for too long with not enough light on the windowsill, they were very spindly and weak in the first month or two of growing. However, once I put them outside (at the end of May) and into grow bags, they really started to strengthen up and prosper. They are now bearing plenty of fruit. I'm pretty chuffed with how my first go at growing veg has gone, so any other newbies out there thinking of giving it a go - do it, and don't give up even if your plants start off a bit weak. I've attached some photos for anyone interested, especially those who answered my queries - thanks guys.

[veggiechicken]

They look great ste - and they'll taste even better
Thanks for the update!