Tomatoes with twisted purple leaves

[KreegDaddy]

Hello everyone! I am new here but popped in to see if I can get some help with my tomatoes. I have embarked on a new growing adventure, trying my hand at hydroponic gardening. My tomatoes started out pretty good but the leaves did always have a purple underside. I've noticed this before with young plants in soil culture but it had never caused me any problems until now. Some of the leaves are actually turning up and showing the purple underside and one plant in particular has the leaves kind of twisting. I don't see any signs of nutrient burn. But from what I've read the purple is indicative of low phosphorus. The nutrients that I'm using are GH grow, micro and bloom. I'm following the insructions given from GH themselves. Right now I am in about week 4. I didnt keep a good record of exactly when I started, oh ya , and I started them from seed. My other plants seem to be doing pretty well.

My PH is at 6.0 and the room temp does vary quite a bit as my system is in a green house in SW Colorado, it can get 92 deg mid day and about 55 during the night.

If any one has any ideas to help me correct this problem, I would sure appreciate hearing them. Thanks in advance!

PS, i'm not sure why but I cant seem to post more than one pic.

[ScottinAtlanta]

I understand that it is a temperature issue, and will work itself out.

[KreegDaddy]

Thanks for the reply ScottinAtlanta. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I will wait it out for now.
Have you ever heard of low phosphorus intake causing this?

[RayR]

Cold temperatures will cause P uptake problems with the underside of the tomato leaves tinted purple. A lack of available P will also cause it. Doesn't look like you have either of those issues from your description.
You might have a condition where something else or a lack of something in your nutrient solution is causing a P lockout. Maybe somebody with hydroponics experience with tomatoes can chime in with some suggestions.

Are you adding any supplements to your nutrient solution like Calcium & Magnesium?

[clkingtx]

Maybe the 55 degree nighttime temps are causing the problem?

[RayR]

Originally Posted by clkingtx

Maybe the 55 degree nighttime temps are causing the problem?

I wouldn't think so, but it's not the ambient temperature of the room that matters, it would be the temperature of the nutrient solution. Same issue when growing in soil, it's the temperature around the roots.

[KreegDaddy]

Thanks RayR, yes I add GH Flora Grow, which is 5% mag and Flora Micro which is 5% calcium and Flora Bloom which has 1.5% mag. But I dont reallly know what this means as it is right off the labels, I'm just following a feeding schedule that is recommended by General Hydroponics. All of the essentials should be in the mix.

clkingtx, maybe your right that the 55 deg night temp is enough to prevent adaquate Phosphurus uptake? The strange thing is that the nutrient solution is always between 68 and 72 deg ( and well ariated I might add), so wouldn't these temps allow the roots to uptake what they need?

I'm new at this, so I'm just reading a lot and trying to learn as much as I can from people who are experienced.

Thanks for your replies! And Happy Gardening!

[KreegDaddy]

I'm feeding every 4 hours in an ebb n flow set up, so if the roots were to hit 55 deg between feedings during the night and then feeding time came and the solution was say 68 deg, do you think this would be ok as far as a 13 deg temp difference, could it shock the roots, maybe? However, most of my other plants are doing pretty well. Idk...

[Wi-sunflower]

One thing that might be overlooked is HOW you made up the solution. Something not generally known and mentioned by the fertilizer companies in their directions is the order in which you need to put the ingredients into solution.

IF any of the ingredients contains Mg, it HAS to go in BEFORE any that contains Ca. If the Ca is in the water first it will cause the Mg to precipitate out in a sludge and won't be available. It would also probably clog up your system.

Just something to consider. Tho I doubt that is the reason for your purple issues.

Carol

[EarlyStarter]

Different plants are going to be different physiologically speaking, and will react different to temperature, nutrient, watering variance, etc. In an Ebb and Flow style set up the roots are going to generally be the same temp as the room, so a 55-92 degree swing can be a pretty wide range for young plants in such an otherwise controlled environment.

As was already mentioned, it sounds like your nutrients may be ok, but the colder temps may be causing slight physiological stress and possible P uptake issues in some of the plants. I have had this issue and my plants have always pulled through without issue and without seeming stunted, etc.

I have also encountered this problem when getting over eager and putting plants out before the weather was quite ready. Too inconsistent in temperatures....my leaves may temporarily curl. Inconsistent weather (ie unexpected few days of rain)....leaves may curl/twist/roll/thicken, etc...

Are all the plants of the same variety, or is it a particular varietal you're seeing this in?

Keep us posted, and best of luck with your hydro endeavor!

[KreegDaddy]

Originally Posted by Wi-sunflower

One thing that might be overlooked is HOW you made up the solution. Something not generally known and mentioned by the fertilizer companies in their directions is the order in which you need to put the ingredients into solution.

IF any of the ingredients contains Mg, it HAS to go in BEFORE any that contains Ca. If the Ca is in the water first it will cause the Mg to precipitate out in a sludge and won't be available. It would also probably clog up your system.

Just something to consider. Tho I doubt that is the reason for your purple issues.

Carol

Thanks for the thought Carol, but there is not a sludge at the bottom of the res. But I will certainly consider this order of adding nutes the next time I change them.

[KreegDaddy]

Originally Posted by EarlyStarter

Different plants are going to be different physiologically speaking, and will react different to temperature, nutrient, watering variance, etc. In an Ebb and Flow style set up the roots are going to generally be the same temp as the room, so a 55-92 degree swing can be a pretty wide range for young plants in such an otherwise controlled environment.

As was already mentioned, it sounds like your nutrients may be ok, but the colder temps may be causing slight physiological stress and possible P uptake issues in some of the plants. I have had this issue and my plants have always pulled through without issue and without seeming stunted, etc.

I have also encountered this problem when getting over eager and putting plants out before the weather was quite ready. Too inconsistent in temperatures....my leaves may temporarily curl. Inconsistent weather (ie unexpected few days of rain)....leaves may curl/twist/roll/thicken, etc...

Are all the plants of the same variety, or is it a particular varietal you're seeing this in?

Keep us posted, and best of luck with your hydro endeavor!

Wow, these are encouaging words, im not so worried anymore. The growth does seem to be quite good despite the purple and the twisting. I think I'll just stay the course for now, I sure look forward to harvest time. I think one more week of veg and then Im going to begin the bloom cycle.

The variety is Rutgers. I only planted two tomato plants as I wanted to plant other types of fruits and vegies as well. I have planted tomato's, cucumber, bell pepper, jalepeños, anahiem peppers, snap peas, green beans, straw berries, cantaloupe & watermelon.
Thanks for Everyones support, Ill post pictures after i begin the bloom phase...