DIY earthboxes and purple stems. Help needed from experienced container people!

Tomatovator · March 31, 2007

I planted 2 toms in DIY earthboxes a little over a week ago. I posted pictures of them in the general discussion section at that time. The plants looked great at first but now are turning purple. It is still on the cool side here 50's to 60's but last week was very sunny. I put the boxes in full sun every morning and bring them inside at night to keep the soil temperature up. I've sprayed them a few times with kelp extract (Bonide). Is there anything else I should try to get them all green again?

cukes · April 1, 2007

I grow all my tomato in DIY earthboxes. I usually grow at least 4 varieties. Some turn purple and some stay green, but I get fruit from all of them.
I wouldn't worry, could be wrong but don't think so.

mresseguie · April 1, 2007

I'll chime in with what cukes said. Some varieties turn purple at a certain stage in their growth. It shouldn't be a problem.

Frankly, I'm jealous. My toms are all in 4" pots which get set out a few days per week as the weather allows. Poor me.

bydsign · April 1, 2007

I've seen a purplish tinge on some leaves from time to time...
but that was during the cooler dips in temps. But I still got
plenty fruit out of that plant too--- it was a Brandywine, which
can be pretty finicky.

I've learned in my short stint as urban gardener that nature
has an unbelievably strong will to live! I've set out some pretty
straggly looking seedlings and once I got them in some fertile
environments, they bounced right back and produced some
tasty tomatoes for me!

My advice ==> Continue to monitor... but don't worry excessively.

Tomatovator · April 1, 2007

Thanks for the responses. They look to be greening up for some reason

. I'm about 2 months early with these so if they make it it will be pretty exciting.

creister · April 2, 2007

I know in my experience that cooler temps usually cause some purpling on the underside of the leaves. I wouldn't worry, as it usually goes away when temps warm up.

rsg2001 · July 5, 2007

The purpling is a nutrition issue. They should grow out of it. I found I was getting that in my seedlings (started from seeds in my basement) but when I gave them a little fertilizer the issue improved, and then completely went away after they were transplanted out to the garden.

March 31, 2007	#1
Tomatovator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6 Posts: 461	DIY earthboxes and purple stems. Help needed from experienced container people! I planted 2 toms in DIY earthboxes a little over a week ago. I posted pictures of them in the general discussion section at that time. The plants looked great at first but now are turning purple. It is still on the cool side here 50's to 60's but last week was very sunny. I put the boxes in full sun every morning and bring them inside at night to keep the soil temperature up. I've sprayed them a few times with kelp extract (Bonide). Is there anything else I should try to get them all green again?

April 1, 2007	#3
mresseguie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 159	I'll chime in with what cukes said. Some varieties turn purple at a certain stage in their growth. It shouldn't be a problem. Frankly, I'm jealous. My toms are all in 4" pots which get set out a few days per week as the weather allows. Poor me. __________________ Learning to speak tomato! Got compost?

April 1, 2007	#4
bydsign Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Zone 10 - South Florida Posts: 91	I've seen a purplish tinge on some leaves from time to time... but that was during the cooler dips in temps. But I still got plenty fruit out of that plant too--- it was a Brandywine, which can be pretty finicky. I've learned in my short stint as urban gardener that nature has an unbelievably strong will to live! I've set out some pretty straggly looking seedlings and once I got them in some fertile environments, they bounced right back and produced some tasty tomatoes for me! My advice ==> Continue to monitor... but don't worry excessively. __________________ Darlette

April 1, 2007	#2
cukes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sultan Wa Posts: 21	I grow all my tomato in DIY earthboxes. I usually grow at least 4 varieties. Some turn purple and some stay green, but I get fruit from all of them. I wouldn't worry, could be wrong but don't think so.

April 2, 2007	#6
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I know in my experience that cooler temps usually cause some purpling on the underside of the leaves. I wouldn't worry, as it usually goes away when temps warm up.

July 5, 2007	#7
rsg2001 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Zone 6 Posts: 479	The purpling is a nutrition issue. They should grow out of it. I found I was getting that in my seedlings (started from seeds in my basement) but when I gave them a little fertilizer the issue improved, and then completely went away after they were transplanted out to the garden.