Tomato Plants and Sulfur

Hudson_WY · March 30, 2017

I ran across this article about supplementing Tomato plants with Sulfur. We have been supplementing our tomato plants with sulfur for several years and have found the information in this article to be true. Maybe sulfur is why our tomatoes have such great taste!!? What are your thoughts - experiences?

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/informa...nts-29024.html

Growing your own juicy, red tomatoes is relatively easy. But when leaves yellow or the fruit fails to mature, sulfur can help, both in the soil and dusted on leaves as a fungicide and insecticide. Sulfur and copper are the only fungicides allowed for use on certified organic produce.

Sulfur can be used in the soil or on the tomato plant to help develop tasty tomatoes.

Soil Nutrient

While sulfur is only needed in small amounts as a micronutrient to grow tomatoes, sandy soils can be deficient in sulfur. Sulfur helps form organic compounds that help impart flavor to tomatoes. Tomato plants with yellow-green lower leaves and elongated, woody stems may need more sulfur in the soil. The amount of additional sulfur needed is often fairly low, so a thin layer of compost of about one to two inches added to the soil may provide enough sulfur. Sulfur can also be found in many fertilizer mixes. Use about 1/2 cup per tomato plant. Work it into the soil when the tomatoes are small.

Fungicide and Insecticide

Powdery mildew spores can be carried on the wind to tomato plants late in the season. This fungus causes tomato plant leaves to develop yellow spots, and can eventually kill the leaves. Sulfur can be sprayed on the plants to reduce infestation. Another tomato pest, russet mites, can be controlled with sulfur, but it may take several applications. Sulfur can also be used to prevent an infestation.

Applying Sulfur

Sulfur can be applied as a dust or as a wettable powder. When applying as a dust, use a hand-cranked dust applicator in dry, windless weather. Coat the leaves and stems of the tomato plant lightly. The wettable powder form of sulfur is stirred into water. However, it doesn't dissolve. It is applied with a specially designed sprayer.

Cautions

Sulfur can damage tomato plants when the weather is hot, and should not be used if temperatures climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If squash and melons are planted near tomatoes, do not use sulfur, as it can injure these plants. While sulfur is less toxic than many chemical pesticides, it is best not to get it on your skin or in your eyes as it can irritate them. Avoid use on a windy day to keep from inhaling the sulfur or it spreading to other areas. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, eye protection and plastic gloves when applying sulfur. Wash tomatoes thoroughly before eating them to remove any sulfur residue.

March 30, 2017	#1
Hudson_WY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Smoot, Wyoming Posts: 523	Tomato Plants and Sulfur I ran across this article about supplementing Tomato plants with Sulfur. We have been supplementing our tomato plants with sulfur for several years and have found the information in this article to be true. Maybe sulfur is why our tomatoes have such great taste!!? What are your thoughts - experiences? http://homeguides.sfgate.com/informa...nts-29024.html Growing your own juicy, red tomatoes is relatively easy. But when leaves yellow or the fruit fails to mature, sulfur can help, both in the soil and dusted on leaves as a fungicide and insecticide. Sulfur and copper are the only fungicides allowed for use on certified organic produce. Sulfur can be used in the soil or on the tomato plant to help develop tasty tomatoes. Soil Nutrient While sulfur is only needed in small amounts as a micronutrient to grow tomatoes, sandy soils can be deficient in sulfur. Sulfur helps form organic compounds that help impart flavor to tomatoes. Tomato plants with yellow-green lower leaves and elongated, woody stems may need more sulfur in the soil. The amount of additional sulfur needed is often fairly low, so a thin layer of compost of about one to two inches added to the soil may provide enough sulfur. Sulfur can also be found in many fertilizer mixes. Use about 1/2 cup per tomato plant. Work it into the soil when the tomatoes are small. Fungicide and Insecticide Powdery mildew spores can be carried on the wind to tomato plants late in the season. This fungus causes tomato plant leaves to develop yellow spots, and can eventually kill the leaves. Sulfur can be sprayed on the plants to reduce infestation. Another tomato pest, russet mites, can be controlled with sulfur, but it may take several applications. Sulfur can also be used to prevent an infestation. Applying Sulfur Sulfur can be applied as a dust or as a wettable powder. When applying as a dust, use a hand-cranked dust applicator in dry, windless weather. Coat the leaves and stems of the tomato plant lightly. The wettable powder form of sulfur is stirred into water. However, it doesn't dissolve. It is applied with a specially designed sprayer. Cautions Sulfur can damage tomato plants when the weather is hot, and should not be used if temperatures climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If squash and melons are planted near tomatoes, do not use sulfur, as it can injure these plants. While sulfur is less toxic than many chemical pesticides, it is best not to get it on your skin or in your eyes as it can irritate them. Avoid use on a windy day to keep from inhaling the sulfur or it spreading to other areas. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, eye protection and plastic gloves when applying sulfur. Wash tomatoes thoroughly before eating them to remove any sulfur residue.