Brown Stem?!

[FreyaFL]

I just noticed that the stem on my Tropic tomato plant is brown! I think I would have noticed it yesterday if it had been so then as I'm out looking at my plants a lot right now. It's brown up about half the plant, then it's bright green again. There are many green tomatoes on this plant and many flowers. Tell me it's not doomed. Please?

[ChrisK]

Your symptoms look just like mine this year and I believe it turned out to be russet mites (had never heard of them before this year!) I had to use my hand lens to see them. They will continue up the stem if you don't spray. Neem oil seems to be good but you have to thoroughly wet the stems and under the leaves. Might take a few applications. Follow label directions to avoid burning the plants.

[Andybear]

Back in Aug 2010 Raybo discussed this Tomato Russet mite. Also gave some names of products which could control it. Follow this thread http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=15461

[Sunfreak]

I agree. It really looks like russet mites. They are so small, you need a very good hand lens or a microscope to see them! I've taken a video to give you an idea what's happening right now on your plant(s)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq8rwOtXuMA

Unfortunately i've lost all my plants to the russet mites this year! I didn't knew how to handle this disease because i didn't knew what was my enemy. But what i've learned: Don't delay und don't just spray infected plant parts or plants. It is necessary to spray healthy looking plant parts and plants too!

- Michael

[FreyaFL]

Oh, wow...THANK YOU! I'm going to check all the links now and watch the video. I hope I can save the plant! (And the ones around it. Ugh.)

[FreyaFL]

Since it's late and I haven't Azatrol (which I don't dare use because I have an aquaponic system nearby) or the Take Down Garden Spray that I'm reading that one person at least is totally sold on, I made a neem spray and saturated the plant, pot, and soil. Tomorrow, I'll look for the Take Down Garden Spray or something with the same ingredient list. (I'm also seeing a lot about sprayable sulfur. Ugh. So much to consider RIGHT NOW.) Thanks again!

[Heritage]

Freya,

Azatrol and Neem oil both have Azadirachtin as the active ingredient. Azatrol is commonly used on "cash crops", but I doubt the high price justifies use on tomatoes.

Take Down Garden Spray contains pyrethrins, highly toxic to fish, so use it carefully (or not at all) around your aquaponics.
Other warnings/info for pyrethrins:
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_...Rec_Id=PC34291

This article outlines the best mite control methods:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html

Good luck!
Steve

[FreyaFL]

Thank you, Steve. Very good to know before I offed all my fish. I guess I'll be sticking with the neem oil spray as that is listed in the article and, "...don’t apply sulfur within 30 days of an oil spray..." pretty much does in trying any kind of sulfur spray. I've my fingers crossed.

[Heritage]

Originally Posted by FreyaFL

Thank you, Steve. Very good to know before I offed all my fish. I guess I'll be sticking with the neem oil spray as that is listed in the article and, "...don’t apply sulfur within 30 days of an oil spray..." pretty much does in trying any kind of sulfur spray. I've my fingers crossed.

Yes, I think the fish will probably limit your selection of pesticides. I've had good luck with Neem oil - when I keep up the routine. When the plants get larger, and, on the plants I don't prune, it eventually becomes very difficult and time-consuming to spray the underside of all the foliage. I usually quit spraying after a few good harvests and let the mites finish the season for me.

You might look into beneficials - something I plan on using more of this summer myself.

Steve