Purple veins and plants drooping.... What is it?

[socalgardengal]

Went out to check on plants this morning and they weren't looking too happy. They were drooping and had dark spots on the leaves. The undersides of the leaves have purple veins, but the plants are still green. What could this possibly be??? I do have alpt of aphids on them and was going to spray them with soapy water. Should I toss them?? Thanks

[Riceloft]

I'm definitely no expert, but I believe this is caused by the plant being unable to take up potassium (or some other nutrient). The usual cause is too much nitrogen.

*edit*

I did some quick searching and also found similar symptoms, coupled with curled leaves, that represent herbicide damage. So there's 2 options. Can you post some pictures?

[socalgardengal]

Hi, can't post pics, I don't have internet, only my cell phone. I can send one via email though. The leaves are curled somewhat. I have them in 32 oz. styrofoam cups and just fertilized them about 3 days ago with a very diluted miracle grow. Thats all I had in hand.

[socalgardengal]

Also have not used any herbicides at all.

[KarenO]

plants that are cold look purple and this can be from the cold temps making it difficult for the plant to absorb phosphorus. what temps do you have where you are? look up photos of tomatoes deficient in phosphorus. I dont like the sound of the dark spots on the leaves, that may be a fungal disease. are the spots fuzzy at all if you look really close? hard to help without a pic but these are a couple of ideas.
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.corne...omLeafKey.html this might help you identify your problem(s)
KarenO

[socalgardengal]

Temps are in the 50's at night and 60-70 daytime. The spots don't look fuzzy at all, they look like a dry crusty spot. I'll check out your link amd see what it shows. Thanks

[Stvrob]

My Amish paste plants are all doing that as well. I am attributing it to the cold soil and cold night air. It is peculiar that it seems to be limited just to that variety (wispy foliage maybe?)

[socalgardengal]

One more thing, the plants that are affected have small brown dots going up the stem, more prevelant on the lower parts. This is my first time growing so I'm a bit nervous The types affected are Pomodoro,Delicious amd Jaune Flamme. Don't really know too much about them. Guess I should do some homework lol

[Sun City Linda]

Small brown dots on the stem sounds like, is it bacterial spot or speck? I think one of them will spot the stems. I have had them show up on plants purchased from big box stores fairly regularly.

In SoCal, once the warm weather kicks in I find most of the little spots and specks and imperfections I worried about are not an issue and the plants seem to outgrow whatever was ailing them. You have coastal influance so less hot than me, still, we dont have the intense rain and humidity that creates so many problems for other parts of the country.

Try to find an all purpose type product for common leaf diseases and keep an eye on them. If they are not used to being outside and it is below 40 you might bring them inside. Purple this time of year is nearly always related to temps.

[socalgardengal]

Hi Linda, I was thinking the same about the bacterial spot or speck. Hard to tell. I isolated the affected plants to see what happens and sprayed them with soapy water for aphids. It does sound like phosphorous defienency to me with the purple veins but could be curly leaf virus maybe. I looked at the spots with a magnifying glass and doesn't seem to be mold or mildew growing. But I will keep my eye on it and get some sprays at the store. Ugh.... Raising plants for the first time is nerve racking!! LOL My plants have been outside the whole time. I started them in baggies in first week of Jan. then planted in cups and kept them outside, only brought them in when it was freezing last month or so. They looked great til this morning. Thanks for the info

[Riceloft]

Originally Posted by KarenO

plants that are cold look purple and this can be from the cold temps making it difficult for the plant to absorb phosphorus. what temps do you have where you are? look up photos of tomatoes deficient in phosphorus. I dont like the sound of the dark spots on the leaves, that may be a fungal disease. are the spots fuzzy at all if you look really close? hard to help without a pic but these are a couple of ideas.
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.corne...omLeafKey.html this might help you identify your problem(s)
KarenO

Ahhh, so its phosphorus, not potassium. Thanks!

As I said, I am no expert!

[KarenO]

I'm no expert either but I have sure learned a lot here on Tomatoville. (plus I live where it's cold so I have seen it before on my own plants) It will go away once it warms up more, especially at night.

[Worth1]

Sounds like a possible zombie infestation.
Or cold nights.
Lets hope it is cold nights.

No really the nights need to be in the mid sixties for this to go away.
I have seen mine go from purple to green several times this year.

Worth

[socalgardengal]

LOL! I vote for zombie infestation also

[Sun City Linda]

Hmmm, Purple Zombie? Sounds like a new tomato name