Newspaper Article

[travis]

Here's a little newspaper article by the Purdue Horticulturist (ag extension agent for our county) Larry Caplan. He's a good guy. He writes a decent article in our local newspaper for its Sunday edition.

I think this article is an online extra as I did not see it in print:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/200...ect-on-tomato/

Comments, suggestions, etc.? I'd be happy to forward them to Larry. He'd love to hear it from hobbiests and experts.

PV

[Fert1]

Don't know, but I've seen a lot of leaf roll on my plants this season. I think a lot of environmental stresses can cause it, not just overly wet soil. I think that is one of many possible causes.

[elkwc36]

I left a soaker hose on too long last week and noticed it on some of my plants. Just did a search and some of the sites say that can be one of the causes. Also too much nitrogen and transplant shock was mentioned. JD

[Gimme3]

PV...i really enjoyed an felt that this Mr. Caplan is a fine grower.

My only complaint...is this...an please Forward it...)))

1 to 1.5 inches of water, per week...is rediculous. the only way a tomato needs that ..is if it's growin in barren....organicly deprived, soil. Fruits will suffer in taste, if they get this much rain, or irrigation, in their final week or 2 of ripening. Disease can become a factor...according to method of watering, for which...no recommendation is offerred. I feel he overlooks the benefits of a good mulch,Tilth, and organicly rich soil...in this statement.

without a proper emphasis on Mulching...Tilth, and soil OM..there's no way to address the topic of Blossom end rot. So possibly he does more damage than Good, here...also, via superficial mention.

Mr. Caplans explanation for leaf roll is Appreciated, and adds confirmation to a tricky phenomena to figure out. It makes a lot of sense....here...)))

i realize...the article was not ever intended to be for a target audience of experienced growers....but perhaps...it aughta be....an if it was...it would benefit many more...)))

[carolyn137]

I didn't read the article but just wanted to comment on Leaf Roll, which is a recognized problem early in the season when leaf mass and root mass are not in balance and reverses itself as the plants mature.

And Leaf Roll is not the same as leaf curling which can occur if conditions are too wet , too dry, too warm, too cool, too windy, or if there's a heavy fruit burden and many hybrids have leaves that curl normally.

I ignore curling leaves if that's the only symptom.

[nctomatoman]

The only comment I can make on your comment, Gimme, is that when they are grown in pots, that total is actually too low! With daytime highs in the mid 90's, I am watering my potted tomato plants twice per day - probably 20 seconds on each plant, no nozzle, water flowing nearly full blast. Otherwise they wilt due to dryness and the developing fruit develop BER.

I am actually seeing quite a lot of what appears to be Fusarium moving through quite a few of my varieties - I've pulled lots of yellowing, wilted foliage from Citron, New Big Dwarf and 3 or 4 of the Dwarf F1s. Silvery Fir Tree is quite sick, and Earl's Faux is next to get a yellow/wilted foliage or stem haircut.

[Gimme3]

ROFL...hope i didnt kill nobodie's potted plants ...by sayin 1-1.5 is too much. Sometimes i Forget...that we all dont grow the same way...))) You are DEAD RIGHT, Craig...a potted tomato needs about a foot of water...every day...lol..in Hot dry heat. Thats why i recuse myself, from even commentin on potted tomato plants...it jus aint smart...to me, but i know some people Have to, and Some people Want to . Winter-time growin is another thing...might try that a little, this winter, after constructing an attatched greenhouse, back in February.

Got a BW here...w/some very nice fruits...that Fusarium is makin me think i need to plant a Cucumber beside it, for shade, cause i'm havin to gradually de-foliate it, to keep it at bay. Probly gon do that in a day or 2. Good Luck fightin the never-endin Good Fight...)))

Apologies for my bad advice, to the Container Growers...)))

[nctomatoman]

No apologies necessary, Gimme! Your posts always put a smile on my face (which I needed after spending the weekend on a trip with my mother in law and wife's sister!...and my wife would agree!!!!!!)