Bacterial Canker

LMinAL · June 17, 2014

One of my tomatoes started wilting on one side about 2 weeks ago. A week later the whole plant wilted, so I pulled it and took it to the diagnostic lab at our ag extension office. (Side note: if you are in the Birmingham, AL area and have a plant problem, this is a fantastic free service to get foliage diseases and such diagnosed.) Their quick test indicated bacterial canker, but they are doing further research to isolate the pathogen.

That being said, from what I've read you should pull all surrounding plants. That would wipe out half my remaining tomatoes!

So, considering my backyard raised bed setup, I'm just going to leave the remaining plants and watch for wilt before pulling.

1. Should I continue to use the soaker hose that was on that line or would it spread the bacteria? They go around each plant in that bed and ended with the bad plant. 2. Would removing the soil in that corner be of any benefit? My goal is just to get these tomatoes through the season and then I can rotate out of this bed for the next 3 seasons.

Pics of my setup front and back - the pulled plant was in the back left corner of the right bed:

Thanks for any suggestions!
Laura

ginger2778 · June 21, 2014

Laura, just saw this and I don't know much about soaker hose use and spreading of pathogens, but I am bumping this so maybe someone can help you. Anyone?

Marsha

LMinAL · June 22, 2014

Thanks Marsha. I've tried researching the soaker hose issue and just can't find a good recommendation. So, out of an abundance of caution, I'm hand watering those three remaining plants at the soil line. The tomatoes in the other bed are on a separate line so it's not too much trouble so far. I haven't seen any more wilting, so trying to just stay positive and hope it doesn't spread.

June 17, 2014	#1
LMinAL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 46	Bacterial Canker One of my tomatoes started wilting on one side about 2 weeks ago. A week later the whole plant wilted, so I pulled it and took it to the diagnostic lab at our ag extension office. (Side note: if you are in the Birmingham, AL area and have a plant problem, this is a fantastic free service to get foliage diseases and such diagnosed.) Their quick test indicated bacterial canker, but they are doing further research to isolate the pathogen. That being said, from what I've read you should pull all surrounding plants. That would wipe out half my remaining tomatoes! So, considering my backyard raised bed setup, I'm just going to leave the remaining plants and watch for wilt before pulling. 1. Should I continue to use the soaker hose that was on that line or would it spread the bacteria? They go around each plant in that bed and ended with the bad plant. 2. Would removing the soil in that corner be of any benefit? My goal is just to get these tomatoes through the season and then I can rotate out of this bed for the next 3 seasons. Pics of my setup front and back - the pulled plant was in the back left corner of the right bed: Thanks for any suggestions! Laura

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June 21, 2014	#2
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Laura, just saw this and I don't know much about soaker hose use and spreading of pathogens, but I am bumping this so maybe someone can help you. Anyone? Marsha

June 22, 2014	#3
LMinAL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 46	Thanks Marsha. I've tried researching the soaker hose issue and just can't find a good recommendation. So, out of an abundance of caution, I'm hand watering those three remaining plants at the soil line. The tomatoes in the other bed are on a separate line so it's not too much trouble so far. I haven't seen any more wilting, so trying to just stay positive and hope it doesn't spread.