Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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August 26, 2010 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 8
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Purple Blotches On Leaves
Hello,
Could someone please help my diagnose my problem. Tomatoes are yielding well, though they are fairly stunted. Most of the tomatoes are suffering the same foliage symptoms. Purple blotches are most on older growth at the bottom of the plant. At some point a lot of the new flowers dried up. Also had a bit of a drought this summer. I suspect it is phosphorus deficiency, but it doesn't seem to exactly match the descriptions or any photos I've seen. I was away for over a month, so perhaps it is simply the late stages. Added some bone meal today, so we'll see what happens...pretty late in the season though. Thanks in advance and I hope everyone is having a pleasant summer! Last edited by orangehero; August 26, 2010 at 07:19 PM. |
August 26, 2010 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 603
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My first thought, when looking at the first picture was, oh gee, look at that phosphorus deficiency. But it doesn't quite seem like it, though.
The bonemeal is probably too slow acting to make much of a difference, now... |
August 26, 2010 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 682
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TPLD Symptoms In The Field ( Tomato Purple Leaf Disease)
• Symptoms first appear six to eight weeks after transplanting. • Purpling appears on the upper leaf surface of the middle older leaves at blotches along the margins, which may eventually spread to cover the whole leaf. • Underside of leaf has normal coloring. • Purpling only appears on leaves or portions of leaves exposed to the sun. • There is no change in leaf shape or size, or in fruit shape, size, or color. • Chlorosis may develop on older leaves, which then die earlier than expected. Though stress can cause it too, I would contact a county or state agriculture official and see what they think. Lack of phosphorous usually only turns the leaf purple in cool weather and on newer plants |
August 26, 2010 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 69
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I get this too, every year. Doesn't seem to spread, always only on the bottom older leaves. Doesn't seem to affect yield. I would love to know what it is, but have learned not to stress over it.
-JoAnne |
August 28, 2010 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: France
Posts: 44
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It is a sign of a deficency, usually on older leaves that are probably past helping with production, and should be taken off to help ripening and give better air circulation to prevent diseases.
Even commercial growers get this on old leaves despite feeding at every watering. If it is higher up the plant then it is worth looking into adding extra nutrients. But sometimes if the rest of the plant is ok then it might be better to carry on as you are. Like has been said, it dosen't really affect production. This link might help.http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/...e.aspx?pid=456
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August 28, 2010 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 8
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Thanks so much for the responses, it is greatly appreciated.
From what I can tell it is advanced magnesium deficiency. |
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