Nutrient Deficiency or Something Worse?

PeteD · June 16, 2011

Hi All:

I am getting some brown mottling that appears to be some sort of nutrient deficiency based on my research. Planted these about 1.5 weeks ago. They are starting to grow and greening up on top. I did get similar spots last year as well, even on upper leaves. I have all OP tomatoes and Sun Gold/Black Cherry. Sungold seems to suffer the most from the spotting, but majority of plants showing at least some of these leaves.

I did add some additional loam, compost, and Cockadoodledoo to my beds this year.

Had some cool rainy weather since planting here in MA. Also, sprayed with Neem and Daconil a few days ago, using mixtures specified on bottles.

I am looking for help identifying the cause of these spots/recommendations for addressing them:

Thanks,
Pete

gtnate · June 16, 2011

I'm not an expert, so if a more veteran poster answers something different after me, you should defer to their advice.

However, I think that this is not a nutrient deficiency but is just mild environmental damage from the cool rainy weather you reported. The same thing happened to some of my plants, and it really wasn't a big deal.

The new growth looks great, so I wouldn't stress about it too much.

PeteD · June 17, 2011

Thanks for the reply. Tops are still looking good this morning and the effect has not spread. I think you may be right.

June 16, 2011	#1
PeteD Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: MA Z6a Posts: 72	Nutrient Deficiency or Something Worse? Hi All: I am getting some brown mottling that appears to be some sort of nutrient deficiency based on my research. Planted these about 1.5 weeks ago. They are starting to grow and greening up on top. I did get similar spots last year as well, even on upper leaves. I have all OP tomatoes and Sun Gold/Black Cherry. Sungold seems to suffer the most from the spotting, but majority of plants showing at least some of these leaves. I did add some additional loam, compost, and Cockadoodledoo to my beds this year. Had some cool rainy weather since planting here in MA. Also, sprayed with Neem and Daconil a few days ago, using mixtures specified on bottles. I am looking for help identifying the cause of these spots/recommendations for addressing them: Thanks, Pete

June 16, 2011	#2
gtnate Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 88	I'm not an expert, so if a more veteran poster answers something different after me, you should defer to their advice. However, I think that this is not a nutrient deficiency but is just mild environmental damage from the cool rainy weather you reported. The same thing happened to some of my plants, and it really wasn't a big deal. The new growth looks great, so I wouldn't stress about it too much.

June 17, 2011	#3
PeteD Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: MA Z6a Posts: 72	Thanks for the reply. Tops are still looking good this morning and the effect has not spread. I think you may be right.