Tomato Problems

[Scottydog]

I've just been to look at my tomato plants that are hardening off in a sheltered spot in the garden when I noticed that several of them seem to have a problem with their leaves. As you can see from the picture something appears to be taking all the green out of the leaves, turning them brown. The one shown is the variety 'Tamina' but it has affected other varieties as well. I'd be grateful for any advise.

[SarzWix]

Whereabouts are you in the country Scottydog?
Have the tomatoes been out overnight? If yes, then it could be the cold which is causing the problems - here in Yorkshire it's still too cold to leave them out overnight.
Or, it could be sun scorch, especially if they've had water on the leaves with the sun on them...

[Scottydog]

Hi Sarah,
I'm in the sunny south east and the nights have been very mild since I left the tomatoes outside. During the day they are in the shade for most of the time apart from about an hour or so as the sun rises so I don't think it can be due to either of those reasons.
Thanks for getting back to me so soon.

[edcave]

Hi,

sorry for hijacking your thread I too am experiencing problems with my tomato plants and like all beginners am struggling to work out the problem....

I live in london and have some tomato plants planted outside for the last week. I bought them as plants about 6 weeks ago and had them in my kitchen to get some good growth on them before moving them outside.

Since being outside and potted in a bigger pot I have now started to notice some loss of colour and curling of the leaves. The stem at the bottom is also becoming quite brown and rising up the plant. Earlier in the week I found they were bone dry so I gave them a good soaking. Water was coming out of the bottom so I know the drainage is good yet the results are the same.

My courgettes are struggling as well yet my lettuce and strawberry plants are thriving as we have had a lot of sun in the last week so am at a loss. I have posted some photos online and would be grateful of some help.

thanks

Tomatoes 1
Tomatoes 2
Courgettes

[SarzWix]

Hi Sarah,
I'm in the sunny south east and the nights have been very mild since I left the tomatoes outside. During the day they are in the shade for most of the time apart from about an hour or so as the sun rises so I don't think it can be due to either of those reasons.
Thanks for getting back to me so soon.

If the plants had some dew on the leaves and then the morning sun hit them, it could be sun scorch. Did you harden them off before putting them out overnight? (Put them outside in the day and in at night?) If not, then the soft growth of the tomatoes would have been more easily damaged.
If it was me, I'd move the tomatoes somewhere where they'll get the afternoon sun if possible, and put them in at night (or cover with fleece) for a few days.

[Scottydog]

OK, I'll do that. Do you think that the plants will recover enough to plant out later?

[SarzWix]

I hope so It depends if the growing tip was damaged or not. I've really badly treated some of my tomato plants before and they've recovered, so fingers crossed

[Scottydog]

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how I get on.

[bramble]

Hi Scottydog, strawberry plants can cope with the cold much better than tomato or courgette plants.
What kind of soil did you plant into and how long have they been in the pots.
To me, they look like they are lacking some nutrient.
Perhaps you could give them a half strength feed of tomato plant feed.

[Tuuli]

Hi I'm Tuuli and I am new to the site. I have never tried to grow tomatoes before. The seeds germinated very well and I ended up with 35 plants! I have moved them into growbags and recently noticed that the leaves are turning paper-like. They have lost the green color and they feel crisp. The same has happened to my cucumber plants. What should I do? Would it be the same problem your plants are suffering from Scottydog? I am so disappointed as I was really proud of my first ever tomato plants. Could somebody please give me some advise?

[Scottydog]

Hi Tuuli, sorry it's taken so long to get back to you. The problem you have with your tomatoes and cucumbers certainly sounds like the trouble I had with my toms. I think that as SarzWix said, provided the growing tip isn't damaged too much things should be Ok. I can only sympathise with you. It really is so frustrating to see all your efforts come to nothing. Sometimes learning curves can be very steep!