What's the problem here?

kchd.. · August 24, 2016

I'll admit, I suck at diagnosing tomato diseases. A friend of mine in Wisconsin sent me this photo of her dwarf plants and is try to figure out what the problem is. She suspects too much rain. What do y'all think?

My Foot Smells · August 25, 2016

I'm reluctant to hazard a guess, but I got 8"+ of rain, which did a number on all kinds of things. Even the grass/weeds drowned and turned (hopefully temporarily) brown.

How much rain did you get?

On the flip side, very nice specimens in a small potted vessel. You got mad skills.

Hopefully, one of the more established diagnostic technicians on this forum can assist you with a pathology report.

Have a great day.

Shapshftr · August 25, 2016

They are severely lacking in nutrients. The pale green is nitrogen deficiency, and the purple on top of that is phosphorus deficiency, possibly only due to lack of N. Too much rain has likely washed all the nutrients out of the pots. Being they are in such small pots and are bearing quite heavily for the size of the plants, they have used up all the available nutrients. I would get a good quick release fertilizer and give them a feeding weekly until they start putting on new growth, then back off to every 2 weeks or so. I like Ironite for a good quick feeding of all the macros and micros. This liquid one would get them on the road to recovery quickly:

https://www.amazon.com/Lilly-Miller-...PPHCGX6QPK8MT7

The pH may also be off. A soil test would be a BIG help.

kchd.. · August 25, 2016

Thanks, all. I will pass the info along to my friend. She did say they had a lot of rain up in Wisconsin.

FYI, these plants are DWARF plants, which is why they are producing fruit at this small size. They are not stunted.

Patihum · August 25, 2016

I realize the saucers under the pots are to protect the deck but it mean the pots aren't draining well. They need to be removed. Also a little anti-fungal spray may be needed with all the rain.

greenthumbomaha · August 26, 2016

I saw a granular version of ironite as part of the big Wal Mart sale for $2.50 for a very small bag (though my store is not quite as low in price as other posters are finding). I am overdue to fertilize. Here in Omaha we got three inches of rain yesterday. Would the granular version of Ironite also release fertilizer quickly, and will it still wash out in heavy rain? It's going to be warm in the midwest which will fuel more storms all next week. A very weird summer here.

- Lisa

Worth1 · August 26, 2016

Has anyone but me noticed how much the soil has dropped in the containers?
It is late in the season but a person could add more soil and let the stems take root in it.
To be honest the plants look done for.
Worth

peebee · August 26, 2016

After her season is over, tell her to cut some plants down, leaving a few inches on the main stem. Bring the pot indoors in a warm sunny spot (since she is in a colder zone than mine), and she may see new growth soon. My Dwarfs went down fast due to foliage disease so I threw some out but on a whim I cut 2 down just to see what would happen, as they have such thick stems and robust growth. New growth came up right away and now I have 2 new plants with flowers forming. Fertilized today so hopefully I will have a fall crop.

greenthumbomaha · August 26, 2016

I think the plants can still produce but depends on how long a season we have left. In the beginning of the season the transplants look like this but they grow out of it. Up north we are facing cool night and shorter days soon. If the rain stops and we get an extended period of temps in the upper 80's there is a chance of some more fruit at the top.

- Lisa

greenthumbomaha · August 26, 2016

Yep, the mix in my containers that were new this year has compacted. Reused potting mix not as much. Personally I would go with continuing to feed the growth at the top since there isn't much season left. It would be a good experiment further south.

- Lisa

Shapshftr · August 29, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha

I saw a granular version of ironite as part of the big Wal Mart sale for $2.50 for a very small bag (though my store is not quite as low in price as other posters are finding). I am overdue to fertilize. Here in Omaha we got three inches of rain yesterday. Would the granular version of Ironite also release fertilizer quickly, and will it still wash out in heavy rain? It's going to be warm in the midwest which will fuel more storms all next week. A very weird summer here.

- Lisa

Ironite makes several different formulas. They all have different NPK ratios. And the granular ones are more natural ingredients, so they would not be quick release like the liquid ones are.

dmforcier · August 29, 2016

Patihum is right. Those pots (with integral saucers) are keeping the soil saturated, and good things don't happen when that happens. Different pots next year (or now).

That said, I wisht my dwarves (late and unlamented) had been as prolific. (The pieces are now sleeping with the fishes.)

August 24, 2016	#1
kchd.. Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: MS Posts: 211	What's the problem here? I'll admit, I suck at diagnosing tomato diseases. A friend of mine in Wisconsin sent me this photo of her dwarf plants and is try to figure out what the problem is. She suspects too much rain. What do y'all think?

August 26, 2016	#6
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	I saw a granular version of ironite as part of the big Wal Mart sale for $2.50 for a very small bag (though my store is not quite as low in price as other posters are finding). I am overdue to fertilize. Here in Omaha we got three inches of rain yesterday. Would the granular version of Ironite also release fertilizer quickly, and will it still wash out in heavy rain? It's going to be warm in the midwest which will fuel more storms all next week. A very weird summer here. - Lisa Last edited by greenthumbomaha; August 26, 2016 at 12:47 AM. Reason: rephrased question

August 29, 2016	#12
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Patihum is right. Those pots (with integral saucers) are keeping the soil saturated, and good things don't happen when that happens. Different pots next year (or now). That said, I wisht my dwarves (late and unlamented) had been as prolific. (The pieces are now sleeping with the fishes.) __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

August 25, 2016	#2
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	I'm reluctant to hazard a guess, but I got 8"+ of rain, which did a number on all kinds of things. Even the grass/weeds drowned and turned (hopefully temporarily) brown. How much rain did you get? On the flip side, very nice specimens in a small potted vessel. You got mad skills. Hopefully, one of the more established diagnostic technicians on this forum can assist you with a pathology report. Have a great day.

August 25, 2016	#3
Shapshftr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois Posts: 162	They are severely lacking in nutrients. The pale green is nitrogen deficiency, and the purple on top of that is phosphorus deficiency, possibly only due to lack of N. Too much rain has likely washed all the nutrients out of the pots. Being they are in such small pots and are bearing quite heavily for the size of the plants, they have used up all the available nutrients. I would get a good quick release fertilizer and give them a feeding weekly until they start putting on new growth, then back off to every 2 weeks or so. I like Ironite for a good quick feeding of all the macros and micros. This liquid one would get them on the road to recovery quickly: https://www.amazon.com/Lilly-Miller-...PPHCGX6QPK8MT7 The pH may also be off. A soil test would be a BIG help.

August 25, 2016	#5
Patihum Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 878	I realize the saucers under the pots are to protect the deck but it mean the pots aren't draining well. They need to be removed. Also a little anti-fungal spray may be needed with all the rain.

August 26, 2016	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Has anyone but me noticed how much the soil has dropped in the containers? It is late in the season but a person could add more soil and let the stems take root in it. To be honest the plants look done for. Worth

August 26, 2016	#8
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	After her season is over, tell her to cut some plants down, leaving a few inches on the main stem. Bring the pot indoors in a warm sunny spot (since she is in a colder zone than mine), and she may see new growth soon. My Dwarfs went down fast due to foliage disease so I threw some out but on a whim I cut 2 down just to see what would happen, as they have such thick stems and robust growth. New growth came up right away and now I have 2 new plants with flowers forming. Fertilized today so hopefully I will have a fall crop.