What is this???

[kforbs126]

Some of my tomato plants have brown patches on a few leaves. Not sure what is causing it. I don't see any bugs and I recently used gnatrol and I fertilize with 20-20-20. I use kellogg's patio plus in containers. Help! Thanks!

http://forbsfreeman.blogspot.com/

[LDx4]

Kristin,

Looks like you might have some fungus issues going on, and maybe some sunburn (the pale, white areas on the leaves). I would get some fungus spray from Home Depot or Lowes. Either Daconil if you aren't trying to grow organically, or Neem oil if you want to keep it organic. The Daconil will probably work better. I use Neem oil spray because I need to stay organic, and it does work, but you have to stay on top of it and spray every 5-7 days. You should also cut off the affected leaves so that the spores don't spread.

Fungus issues with tomatoes are a part of life in coastal southern CA, unfortunately. Right now I'm battling some downy mildew issues on my plants. I just keep on spraying and cutting off the bad leaves - just one of the things we have to deal around here.

Lyn

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by LDx4

Kristin,

Looks like you might have some fungus issues going on, and maybe some sunburn (the pale, white areas on the leaves). I would get some fungus spray from Home Depot or Lowes. Either Daconil if you aren't trying to grow organically, or Neem oil if you want to keep it organic. The Daconil will probably work better. I use Neem oil spray because I need to stay organic, and it does work, but you have to stay on top of it and spray every 5-7 days. You should also cut off the affected leaves so that the spores don't spread.

Fungus issues with tomatoes are a part of life in coastal southern CA, unfortunately. Right now I'm battling some downy mildew issues on my plants. I just keep on spraying and cutting off the bad leaves - just one of the things we have to deal around here.

Lyn

Thanks Lyn. I did cut off the leaves earlier and I will head to the big box store and get some daconil. I figured it was fungus from everything I read and probably a bit of sunburn since my cousin didn't water properly while I was gone last week. How much does this affect the plant? The seem to still be doing well.

[LDx4]

Your plants should be ok, especially if you start a regular spraying schedule. When the weather warms up, the fungus issues tend to lessen. Last year, I had no problems in the late summer/early fall. Of course, the tomato season was about over by that point!

[Heritage]

In addition to what Lyn said, it looks like you may also have some spider mites trying to get a foothold. The second, third, and fourth right-most leaves in the bottom photo show the classic stippling I see on early infestations, and I have already had them here in North County. (although, for me, they started in the greenhouse.) If they are two-spotted mites you might be able to see slow-moving red particles about the size of dust on the underside of the infected leaves. You will probably need a 15-20X hand lens to see/identify other types of mites. If you have mites it is important to get them under control at this early stage. I would pick off the stippled leaves and spray a contact miticide making sure to spray under the leaf surfaces.

Good luck!
Steve

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by Heritage

In addition to what Lyn said, it looks like you may also have some spider mites trying to get a foothold. The second, third, and fourth right-most leaves in the bottom photo show the classic stippling I see on early infestations, and I have already had them here in North County. (although, for me, they started in the greenhouse.) If they are two-spotted mites you might be able to see slow-moving red particles about the size of dust on the underside of the infected leaves. You will probably need a 15-20X hand lens to see/identify other types of mites. If you have mites it is important to get them under control at this early stage. I would pick off the stippled leaves and spray a contact miticide making sure to spray under the leaf surfaces.

Good luck!
Steve

Thanks Steve. I did notice some little dust like bugs the other day on the underside of some leaves. I have since sprayed with both daconil today and earth tone for the bugs. Looks like I'll be doing both applications once per week. I just want to grow bug free lol.