Leaf curl virus

[meadowyck]

The one and only tomato plant I had earlier this year did the same thing once the heat set in and the flowers were dropping like crazy. But seeing as how I've not really had too many mater issues in the past up north other that the wildlife eating fruit, I haven't a clue as to what it is.

Will be watching to see if anyone post what it might be.

[babice]

Originally Posted by VC Scott

Extra water and regular doses of Miracle Grow helped. It seems the DG soil simply drains extremely fast. I added peat moss on planting these toms, but apparently not enough. The Mortgage Lifters produced a lot of fruit, but it was small. Then I broke my leg and was not able to get to this part of the yard. My son has helped keep things going, but I have had him concentrate on the main field, so I am sure these toms are dead by now.

Aw man, bummer! I've been using an organic fert (Buddha Grow and Buddha Bloom) and this NPK equates to 2.5-2.5-1.75 once a week. I also give them molasses regularly and have given them Maxicrop a few thimes. I can't help but wonder if I should be giving them more fert? Having a hard time figuring that out. So many experts (Carolyn for example) recommend not fertilizing too much. Some suggest fertilizing every other watering, though -- which would be every other day for me right now.

A friend whom got some seedlings from me has been using MG on hers and hers are fine. This isn't the same type of tomato, though. She said she also put some bloodmeal in when she planted them. Again - makes me wonder if I have a phosphorous deficiency. I'm looking forward to doing a soil test to see if they're deficient in phosphorous -- I don't want to just dump more fert on them not really knowing what the deal is. I'm sure (fingers crossed) they'll outgrow the physiological leaf curl...just wondering about the purple vein though.

[VC Scott]

Originally Posted by babice

Aw man, bummer! I've been using an organic fert (Buddha Grow and Buddha Bloom) and this NPK equates to 2.5-2.5-1.75 once a week. I also give them molasses regularly and have given them Maxicrop a few thimes. I can't help but wonder if I should be giving them more fert? Having a hard time figuring that out. So many experts (Carolyn for example) recommend not fertilizing too much. Some suggest fertilizing every other watering, though -- which would be every other day for me right now.

A friend whom got some seedlings from me has been using MG on hers and hers are fine. This isn't the same type of tomato, though. She said she also put some bloodmeal in when she planted them. Again - makes me wonder if I have a phosphorous deficiency. I'm looking forward to doing a soil test to see if they're deficient in phosphorous -- I don't want to just dump more fert on them not really knowing what the deal is. I'm sure (fingers crossed) they'll outgrow the physiological leaf curl...just wondering about the purple vein though.

Babice:

I just noticed that you are in Iowa. Your soil and my soil have nothing in common. My decomposed granite has no organic material whatsoever. I have amended the soil with large quantities of peat moss, worm castings and composted horse manure, but this was virgin DG when I did the amendment, so there has been no opportunity for the soil to improve from a chemistry standpoint. I think that is my problem.

I grew up in Minnesota and I know what that beautiful black loamy midwest soil is like. I wish I could ship some out here.

I would guess you might have a soil chemistry problem. That is, the nutrients you need are in the soil, but there is a problem with the uptake into the plant. Others here could give you better advice on how to improve the soil chemistry.