any suggestions

[encore]

these are pics. of my tomato plants I'm growing in buckets, it's only on the lower stems closest to the dirt, (I since have pruned off the lower ones) it had rained for 4 days straight here and the soil got on them, I don't see any type of bugs on anything else . any ideas?---thanks---tom

[Tracydr]

Looks like flea beetles. Diatomeaceous earth will help.

[digsdirt]

Agree - flea beetles. No real need to do anything as the damage is just cosmetic and poses no threat to the plant.
Dave

[encore]

can that powder just be sprinkled on top of soil around the plant ? or does it have to be dusted on the leaves?

[digsdirt]

can that powder just be sprinkled on top of soil around the plant ? or does it have to be dusted on the leaves?

You mean DE? It can be either/or or both. Instructions for use should be on the label. Sine the damage is on the leaves then if I was going to use it it would be on the leaves. Flea beetles have a very short life span so may well be gone by the time you apply it. That, plus the fact that their damage is just cosmetic, is why most just ignore them.

Dave

[encore]

ok thanks Dave, may be why I haven't seen any, i'll just keep an eye out for them. first year I've seen this, never knew they even existed. lol---tom

[digsdirt]

Very hard to see unless there is a major infestation. Tiny black beetles that jump around like fleas do. So usually what your eye catches if anything is the quick jumping movement more than anything else. They are fast little suckers and while they prefer eggplants most of all they will go after other things as well.

Dave