Please tell me this is nothing to worry about

[kpatrick925]

Ok, so I have had a few hiccups in my tomato season but am trying to keep hope alive!! I was trimming the bottom of my tomato plants as suggested by Raybo to give more air circulation as I seem to have acquired a possible fungal issue. I used Serenade and have my fingers crossed that that stops or slows the progression and hopefully stops it from starting on my newer plants. I was trimming the last plant and found the following. I am hoping it is just something that happens and nothing to worry about but my luck hasn't totally been with me so far so of course I am imaging the worse case scenario. I also, as I was trimming, found quite a bit of hormworm waste. I stalk my tomatoes, intimately inspecting them everyday and sometimes multiple times a day checking as much of it as I can and I rarely see the worms. They frustrate me because I do look so closely and still don't see the little pains. I just want them to show themselves before they decimate my plants. I look at the leaves and rarely see what I have been told to expect if I have worms. Not until they have done major damage and my plants are dying do I see the damage. Don't know if I am just color blind when it comes to tomato leaves or what the deal is but I really dislike those worms. So my question is, I have Serenade that I am spraying for the fungal stuff, I have neem oil or Organocide or Take down garden spray for little bugs and I just bought something called BT for the hornworms and other caterpillars, Is it ok to use all these products? will it hurt and how much time should I allow between each different type of treatment? Just an fyi, the three items I have for the little bugs I am not using together, just trying to find what works best for my plants. Also, the pics are showing the bottom stems of either Early Annies or marz round green. Sorry for the long winded message and thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[RayR]

Not fungus, those bumps are stem primordia, root initials that would become actual roots if they were in contact with the soil. Nothing to worry about, they usually form in areas of the plant where the humidity is highest.

[kpatrick925]

Phew!!! Thank you!! I was hoping that was the case. That particular plant was really thick and bushy so I would imagine stayed wetter then others as we have not had many really warm days. Appreciate the reply!!

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Nothing to worry about as the other person said.

Craig

[RayR]

An overabundance of water in the soil can trigger them too form on the stem near the soil. The plant will try to compensate for the availability of excess water by growing more roots.

[kpatrick925]

Thanks Craig. Really good news to hear!! The bigger my garden gets the more I realize I don't know.

[kpatrick925]

So my question is, I have Serenade that I am spraying for the fungal stuff, I have neem oil or Organocide or Take down garden spray for little bugs and I just bought something called BT for the hornworms and other caterpillars, Is it ok to use all these products? will it hurt and how much time should I allow between each different type of treatment? Just an fyi, the three items I have for the little bugs I am not using together, just trying to find what works best for my plants. Just wondering if anyone has comments on this question? Appreciate any replies.

Thanks, Kim

[rnewste]

Kim,

Hornworms and caterpillars are not typically found on tomato plants here in N. California, so I would put the BT away.

Instead, here we have an abundance of small critters including Aphids, Tomato Russet Mites, and Whiteflies. For these, the Take Down Garden Spray works quite effectively.

Personally, I would recommend alternating every other week spraying with Serenade and Take Down Garden Spray. This routine will keep the insect and fungal issues under control.

Have fun!!

Raybo

[kpatrick925]

Originally Posted by rnewste

Kim,

Hornworms and caterpillars are not typically found on tomato plants here in N. California, so I would put the BT away.

Instead, here we have an abundance of small critters including Aphids, Tomato Russet Mites, and Whiteflies. For these, the Take Down Garden Spray works quite effectively.

Personally, I would recommend alternating every other week spraying with Serenade and Take Down Garden Spray. This routine will keep the insect and fungal issues under control.

Have fun!!

Raybo

Hey Raybo, I actually picked off 3 hornworms in the last couple of weeks but went out this morning to two new holes in one of my tomatos. Not sure why I have been one of the lucky ones with the worms but I seem to have them. I also found a light brown worm the other night on one of the newer plants. When I pulled it off it reared up and looked like the scream mask. LOL, I snipped it in half and it oozed green stuff i am assuming is from eating tomato leaves? The pictures show what I assume are made by worms and worm waste which I saw quite a bit of on the bottom of the most heavily damaged plants as I was trimming the bottom leaves yesterday.

So the Take down garden spray is better then the Organocide for the aphids and such? When I used the Serenade it appears to have burned a few leaves. I had to use the premixed as they were out of the concentrate and I sprayed really heavily, could that be why?

Thanks for all your help!!

[rnewste]

OK, I stand corrected. I've never experienced any type of Hornworm nor caterpillar in my garden here in San Jose.

You NEVER want to spray anything while it is sunny, as this will quickly destroy foliage. Also, under-spraying is the better choice rather than over-application.

Don't worry, as it will take everyone a few Seasons to figure out when pest "cycles", fungal traits, etc. happen in your micro-climate, and when to treat them with specific products. You will never have "Christmas Tree" colored tomato plants for the entire Season, as death of lower leaves is inevitable - - the right Fungicide / Pesticide combination will prolong the process.

"Death smiles at us all . . . All we can do is smile back"

Maximus

Raybo

[travis]

Many pesticide labels instruct you regarding the best range of temperatures and concentrations of application. Many pesticides reward you and your plants with adverse effects when you apply outside the recommended rates and air temperatures. Essentially, that is why the label includes specific application instructions and warnings.

[BLTLOVER]

I'm in Iowa and I too have never seen a hornworm untill this year. I saw one that was about 5" long and 1 that was about 1" long. From what I've seen, they don't present much of a problem. I can see where they've nibbled on two or three green tomatoes but, for the most part, the damage they cause is insignificant. It may be different in other parts of the country but that's my experience.

[kpatrick925]

I went back out to look again as I knew he had to be there as the bites in the tomato happened sometime between dusk and dawn and I found him. Unfortunatly when I have had the issue they end up killing what ever plant they start on and do it pretty quickly.

I always try to follow the instructions but haven't seen much on how much. Most say to run off and I guess I am new enough I may not get it exact. Also, I do sometimes panic and think more will do more good but I am trying to curb that. I try to spray either after the sun goes down but before dark although sometimes in the dark or before the sun hits the plants in the morning. Today is cool and overcast so I went ahead and spayed the BT. below is a picture of my little friend found this morning.

Raybo, not sure with us being so close why I have had such a problem, maybe the cooler temps as we are close enough to the coast to get the marine layer and cooler temps then even Hayward which is right next to us.

[nolabelle]

Yesterday I found a hornworm on one of my two container tomato plants. This is the first time I've ever seen one of these in real life. I've always had previous garden issues with cutworms. This thing was about 2" long, very fat and aggressively chewed at me the whole time I was holding it, spewing dribbles of Exorcist green goop... triple eww! He went swimming in a bucket of soapy water.

I took a picture and will upload it later this week. I hope there aren't too many more of these things. I've been fighting little cutworms all over everything lately. At least this big guy was easier to see!

[matereater]

Whenever I find hornworms in my tomatoes its never just one so keep an eye out. What I usually do is trim off already eaten stems so you can tell if more damage has occurred, meaning there are others. good luck!!