Disease or nutrient issue?

Sandhillstiger · April 2, 2013

Hey guys,

I wanted to pass along some photos of my seedlings. Recently I have noticed a grayish hint on the tips and sometimes the entire leaf surface of my seedlings. As you will notice, some of the lower leaves have dried up. Is the this a nutrient (nitrogen) deficiency or a fungal/viral/bacterial problem? Thanks for the insight!

Derrick

remy · April 2, 2013

It is very difficult for me to tell what is going on with your photos. My best guess from the light color I think I see is they are not getting hardened off properly. It looks like they might be getting sunburned from too much sun too quickly.
Remy

Al@NC · April 4, 2013

As remy noted its hard to see your pictures. It looks like sun scald to me though, have your plants been out in the sun too long?

Al

matilda'skid · April 4, 2013

They look like they didn't get enough light and I would guess nutrient problem not necessarily nitrogen. The leaves are pale in addition to the light spots and the stems are long for the diameter of the stem. Don't give them too much sunlight all at once if they haven't been in the sun.

PHONETOOL · April 4, 2013

I would spray some liquid kelp on them.

Sun City Linda · April 4, 2013

The growth looks weak and spindly. I also think it is a lack of light problem.

remy · April 4, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al@NC

As remy noted its hard to see your pictures. It looks like sun scald to me though, have your plants been out in the sun too long?

Al

Sunscald! For the life of me when I was typing I couldn't think of the correct term

.
Remy

lakelady · April 4, 2013

It looks to me like sunscald. I did have a few seedlings last year that I forgot about and left outside, without properly hardening them off. They did outgrow it with some care.

Al@NC · April 4, 2013

Sun scald for sure, I got it last year myself!

Al

April 2, 2013	#2
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	It is very difficult for me to tell what is going on with your photos. My best guess from the light color I think I see is they are not getting hardened off properly. It looks like they might be getting sunburned from too much sun too quickly. Remy __________________ "I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop

April 4, 2013	#8
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	It looks to me like sunscald. I did have a few seedlings last year that I forgot about and left outside, without properly hardening them off. They did outgrow it with some care. __________________ Antoniette

April 4, 2013	#3
Al@NC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 720	As remy noted its hard to see your pictures. It looks like sun scald to me though, have your plants been out in the sun too long? Al

April 4, 2013	#4
matilda'skid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 309	They look like they didn't get enough light and I would guess nutrient problem not necessarily nitrogen. The leaves are pale in addition to the light spots and the stems are long for the diameter of the stem. Don't give them too much sunlight all at once if they haven't been in the sun.

April 4, 2013	#5
PHONETOOL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 58	I would spray some liquid kelp on them.

April 4, 2013	#6
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	The growth looks weak and spindly. I also think it is a lack of light problem.