discolored stem/leaves

Tonio · May 11, 2012

Hi all, looking for some help w/ my Black Krim.

cultivar: Black Krim

age: transplanted in bed 3/12/12 -started from seed w/ T5 lights indoors,
ferts: Diluted Neptunes harvest(fish/seaweed fert 2-3-1) no apparent issues during germ/growth/hardening periods.

horticultural practice: try to be organic as much as possible, w/ organic amendments of soil/ferts. HOWEVER, this is a new rental yard with mucho (alot)mason's sand for typical rental house. 2nd year in attempts-last year heirloom/OP tom's did not grow well due to low fertility.

environmental/biological concerns: many pesticides abound- leaf hoppers, flea beetles, white flies, grubs (moths) , freeking feral CATS LOL

So I jumped the gun this year with starting and transplanting from seeds, my main buch - Costoluto Genovese, JP Black trifelle, Big rainbow, San Marzano redorta were transplanted on 4/1/12.

Intitial transplant date of 3/12/12 under row covers, had 2drenching rain at least for So CAL

even some hail

Uncovered on 4/1/12. Nothing notable for pest/disease that I could see.

ISSUES:

MULTIPLE

1st I spot discoloration on a stem adjacent to pruned sucker. few days later spot some discolored leaves ,and transparent holes. and plain ol discolored (brown) spots-more like interveinal?

pests noted: some aphids(minor count) , found 1-2 small worms-brownish, real small (not looper size)

So my main concern is the discolored stem, perhaps a virus? I have NEEM - greenlight , and I can get some BT. Just wondering if its contracted a virus/fungus ?? I've never dealt with a fungus issues before.
Overall its healthy, many flowers and have @ 12 set fruits from pea to ping pong ball size. I suppose I could have pruned some suckers earlier in it juvenile state-but it was under covers -

excuses, excuses. May "cage" isn't exactly optimum either

don't mind the bird poo on upper leaf.

Mudman · May 14, 2012

I'm not sure what is going on with that stem but the plant looks really healthy overall. Keep an eye on it to see if it spreads and hopefully someone will have a better answer than mine.

Tonio · May 14, 2012

Thanks for the reply Mudman !!

I was about to bump my lonely thread.
I just noticed another stem with the same " streaking". It odd in that its darker initially , then tappers of to a brown.

Daily inspection provides less progression of leaf discoloration, and many more fruit set and growth. Must have about 75 blooms.

The leaf browning somewhat is pointing to bacterial spot upon research. Septoria ( which is prevelant in my area) is most likely not the issue. I hope

More effort to provide beneficials and better fertility an diversity is always a concern, but there is so much I can do in a year

Mudman · May 14, 2012

No, I have plenty of experience with Septoria and you are right, I don't think that is it (which is a good thing).

May 11, 2012	#1
Tonio Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 148	discolored stem/leaves Hi all, looking for some help w/ my Black Krim. cultivar: Black Krim age: transplanted in bed 3/12/12 -started from seed w/ T5 lights indoors, ferts: Diluted Neptunes harvest(fish/seaweed fert 2-3-1) no apparent issues during germ/growth/hardening periods. horticultural practice: try to be organic as much as possible, w/ organic amendments of soil/ferts. HOWEVER, this is a new rental yard with mucho (alot)mason's sand for typical rental house. 2nd year in attempts-last year heirloom/OP tom's did not grow well due to low fertility. environmental/biological concerns: many pesticides abound- leaf hoppers, flea beetles, white flies, grubs (moths) , freeking feral CATS LOL So I jumped the gun this year with starting and transplanting from seeds, my main buch - Costoluto Genovese, JP Black trifelle, Big rainbow, San Marzano redorta were transplanted on 4/1/12. Intitial transplant date of 3/12/12 under row covers, had 2drenching rain at least for So CAL even some hail Uncovered on 4/1/12. Nothing notable for pest/disease that I could see. ISSUES: MULTIPLE 1st I spot discoloration on a stem adjacent to pruned sucker. few days later spot some discolored leaves ,and transparent holes. and plain ol discolored (brown) spots-more like interveinal? pests noted: some aphids(minor count) , found 1-2 small worms-brownish, real small (not looper size) So my main concern is the discolored stem, perhaps a virus? I have NEEM - greenlight , and I can get some BT. Just wondering if its contracted a virus/fungus ?? I've never dealt with a fungus issues before. Overall its healthy, many flowers and have @ 12 set fruits from pea to ping pong ball size. I suppose I could have pruned some suckers earlier in it juvenile state-but it was under covers - excuses, excuses. May "cage" isn't exactly optimum either don't mind the bird poo on upper leaf.

May 14, 2012	#2
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	I'm not sure what is going on with that stem but the plant looks really healthy overall. Keep an eye on it to see if it spreads and hopefully someone will have a better answer than mine. __________________ Mike

May 14, 2012	#4
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	No, I have plenty of experience with Septoria and you are right, I don't think that is it (which is a good thing). __________________ Mike

May 14, 2012	#3
Tonio Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 148	Thanks for the reply Mudman !! I was about to bump my lonely thread. I just noticed another stem with the same " streaking". It odd in that its darker initially , then tappers of to a brown. Daily inspection provides less progression of leaf discoloration, and many more fruit set and growth. Must have about 75 blooms. The leaf browning somewhat is pointing to bacterial spot upon research. Septoria ( which is prevelant in my area) is most likely not the issue. I hope More effort to provide beneficials and better fertility an diversity is always a concern, but there is so much I can do in a year