Should I worry about this

[gtnate]

Some of the older leaves near the bottom of my stupice plant are beginning to roll up and get a few yellow spots on them. I have attached a pic of the leaf near the bottom of this post. Additionally, these leaves seem to be a bit frail (for instance, I ripped one of the leaves trying to unroll it to take the picture).

The new growth looks great, it is vibrant green. The plant also seems to be flourishing otherwise. However, I am still worried about the yellowing leaves near the bottom.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal, or if I should try to do something to alleviate this problem?

Thanks,
Nate

[kath]

Mine sometimes look like that before the more obvious bull's eye EB spots show up.

[Heritage]

Nate,

I think it is early signs of the symptoms described in this thread:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=18784

Steve

[gtnate]

Heritage, that last pic looks very similar to what some of my leaves are experiencing. Maybe I will try the epsom salts spray.

On a side note, I did notice that the first fertilizer I was using did not have any magnesium in it.

[Heritage]

An excess of other nutrients (I think potassium and calcium) can also make magnesium unavailable, so having magnesium unavailable doesn't necessarily mean there is a shortage. I suspect it could also have something to do with wrong pH, increased soil temperature, etc... It's one of those container-soil-science-thingies that I haven't taken the time to figure out. It never seems to affect the production or flavor so I don't worry about it.

The curled leaves probably have a separate cause. Irregular watering and heavy pruning are two things I have done to curl my leaves. Again, nothing to worry about.

But, if you figure it out I'd like to know what it is...

[Heritage]

Also, I see those symptoms on my greenhouse grown container plants but not on the container plants I grow outside in partial shade. Same soil, same fert, same water. That's the reason I mentioned soil temp as a suspect cause. Of course, it could also be the humidity, air temp, pots drying out faster, etc., etc...

Trying to think like a plant is what I enjoy most about growing tomatoes.

[gtnate]

Well, I tried giving the leaves a foliar squirting of a very dilute solution of epsom salts last night. I poured the rest of the half gallon container into the soil. If the situation improves, I will let you know.

I'm really glad to hear that it doesn't effect the tomatoes too much. This plant is really going to produce in late July and August, it appears.