What is killing my tomatoes? :(

PeteD · July 17, 2011

Hi All:

This year I am afraid all of my 21 plants are done for....It started with a Carbon that had a few branches wilt. I just cut off the branches and everything seemed fine for a little while, but then it came back and it is now spreading. I did start ripping out plants, but not sure any will survive this from the looks of it. I suspect next year I may have to change out the soil, but I'm looking for an ID on this apparent wilt. The plants effected are going down in a pattern spreading out from the original plant.

Side note (I think), I did put these beds in the vicinity of a walnut tree (edge of drip line). I did cut the tree down once I realized what it was, because we were determine to relocate our garden to this spot. A few catkins did end up in the beds, but I do not think this is walnut wilt. The tree was cut down within a couple of weeks of me making these beds and planting the tomatoes. I do not think this is walnut wilt since there was not time for root contact between the plants (I read some academic papers that indicated root contact is required), but figured I would mention it. Also, the pattern of this wilt is consistent with something spreading fromt the first plant.

These are raised beds with soil that has seen tomatoes and cucumbers (just a few cukes) for 6 years in a row. I did amend the soil with additional compost and some loam this year when I moved the beds. Also, added some cockadoodledoo and the growth this year (sunnier spot) was the best in while, until the wilt.

The wilt can best be described as the leaves going flaccid. They are still green but lose all of their firmness. I do not see any yellowing associated with this and the wilt happens fast - i.e. within a day.

The stalks and roots do not show anything obvious to me in terms of disease.

Please help me identify this problem so I can avoid it next year:

TIA,
Pete

July 17, 2011	#1
PeteD Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: MA Z6a Posts: 72	What is killing my tomatoes? :( Hi All: This year I am afraid all of my 21 plants are done for....It started with a Carbon that had a few branches wilt. I just cut off the branches and everything seemed fine for a little while, but then it came back and it is now spreading. I did start ripping out plants, but not sure any will survive this from the looks of it. I suspect next year I may have to change out the soil, but I'm looking for an ID on this apparent wilt. The plants effected are going down in a pattern spreading out from the original plant. Side note (I think), I did put these beds in the vicinity of a walnut tree (edge of drip line). I did cut the tree down once I realized what it was, because we were determine to relocate our garden to this spot. A few catkins did end up in the beds, but I do not think this is walnut wilt. The tree was cut down within a couple of weeks of me making these beds and planting the tomatoes. I do not think this is walnut wilt since there was not time for root contact between the plants (I read some academic papers that indicated root contact is required), but figured I would mention it. Also, the pattern of this wilt is consistent with something spreading fromt the first plant. These are raised beds with soil that has seen tomatoes and cucumbers (just a few cukes) for 6 years in a row. I did amend the soil with additional compost and some loam this year when I moved the beds. Also, added some cockadoodledoo and the growth this year (sunnier spot) was the best in while, until the wilt. The wilt can best be described as the leaves going flaccid. They are still green but lose all of their firmness. I do not see any yellowing associated with this and the wilt happens fast - i.e. within a day. The stalks and roots do not show anything obvious to me in terms of disease. Please help me identify this problem so I can avoid it next year: TIA, Pete