What's this - top of plants?

tam91 · June 29, 2013

With the torrential rains and humidity we've been having, I'm not surprised to have the usual crud. If it ever stops raining, I'll spray Daconil.

But I'm not sure I like this - I'm seeing this on the tops of the plants especially. Any ideas what this is?

ObliqueAngles · June 29, 2013

Looks like septoria. If it ever dries out (we're going through the same weather in the northeast), the septoria may become irrelevant.

As you say, it does little good to spray Daconil when there are several downpours per day.

I find that septoria will stop spreading once the wet goes away. At least, that's what usually happens around here. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it will be dry anytime soon. Of course, the leaf damage won't be undone, but it will usually stop spreading once things dry up. In the meantime, you can remove the damaged leaves.

You should see my yard - it's a virtual swamp in the low lying areas. May need to get mosquito dunks because there has been so much standing water over the past 2-3 weeks. Or, maybe take up boat building. We always wanted waterfront property.

I hope the weather cooperates with you soon.

Mark0820 · June 29, 2013

I'm not certain what disease you have on your tomatoes, but the fact you are seeing it on the top of the plant indicates to me that it possibly could be bacterial spot.

I had bacterial spot last year for the first time ever, and it started at the top of the plant (attacks the newer leaves). Having experienced it last year, I hope this is not the disease your plants are experiencing.

http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series900/rpd910/

lakelady · June 29, 2013

I am hoping for rain. Somehow it always passes my part of the state by lol....I must live in the Bermuda Triangle of NJ. We did get a good downpour this week which saved me from a midweek watering as I didn't have time anyway. Every day the forecast has called for showers, but it passes my area by. Maybe it just passes my yard by and I'm cursed. would be with my luck.

I was thinking septoria, but Mark makes a good point. Septoria usually (at least in my case ) works from the bottom up on my plants. Good luck Tracy, hopefully it passes but you might want to spray and see if it helps. I am not sure what is indicated for bacterial speck though.

TightenUp · June 29, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelady

I am hoping for rain. Somehow it always passes my part of the state by lol....I must live in the Bermuda Triangle of NJ. .

all this rain has been skirting north and south of me too. i had to water my plants for the 2nd time a few days ago

JamesL · June 29, 2013

Rain rain go away and do not come another day.....
I wouldn't like that either Tracy. I would have voted septoria too if you had not said it was at the top. It certainly won't hurt to treat it as one of the bacterials.

Antoinette and Jeff,
You guys are lucky to be relatively dry. Central Park was 2/10 of an inch away from the June record yesterday. Philly set a new one. I think I have received every bit of that.
Currently battling early blight and now some kind of mold.

ObliqueAngles · June 30, 2013

If it's bacterial spot/speck, you could apply a copper-based product. You can buy that at just about any garden center. The copper-based fungicide may also help if it's septoria (or if septoria develops), which is sounding less likely.

I've used a powder type copper fungicide in the past and it worked well, which is why I think I didn't have bacterial spot/speck (also the fruits were unaffected). Whatever it was, it stopped progressing after the daily rains stopped.

For the home gardener, copper is about the only thing available for bacterial problems.

OR.......you could try B54red's bleach solution. Just search the boards. I will try it when intractable disease sets in.

tam91 · June 30, 2013

I think I have septoria on some other plants, at the bottom like I'd expect. I'll do some spraying, I saw mancozeb recommended on that other link, I think I have some of that. Copper I'll have to get.

Mark0820 · June 30, 2013

Yes, either mancozeb or a copper based fungicide are recommended products.

Paradajz · June 30, 2013

actually, copper + mancozeb in tank mixture at regular doses would be the most recommended combination for a bacteria disease

p.s.

Tracey, what are those leafs like from the other ( back ) side, and could you enlarge just one leaf with the symptoms, both top and back sides?

br

tam91 · July 1, 2013

I didn't see anything unusual on the back. I'll have to get a new leaf and take some more photos - thanks

BucksCountyGirl · July 1, 2013

I had a similar issue with the top leaves of my Kellogg's breakfast. I am by no means an expert, but I think mine was from spraying my Daconil on (what seems like) the only sunny day we'd had all June. I saw that no rain was expected that day so I ran home at lunch and sprayed my plants. I think the combo of the high noon sun and the spray burnt the leaves a little. I removed all of the effected foliage and haven't seen any spots going forward. Hope you have good luck with your plants. Cheers!

tam91 · July 1, 2013

I didn't spray, so unfortunately that isn't it. Thanks though!

tam91 · July 1, 2013

I'm thinking bacterial speck - do you agree? Septoria on the bottoms of the plant. The one rotten fruit - dunno, scary. There was only one.

tam91 · July 1, 2013

And I think I goofed - I already had mancozeb so went ahead and sprayed them. I intend to go out and get copper. I missed the part where I had to mix them together in the same tank.

Can I go ahead and spray the copper tomorrow anyway?

June 29, 2013	#4
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	I am hoping for rain. Somehow it always passes my part of the state by lol....I must live in the Bermuda Triangle of NJ. We did get a good downpour this week which saved me from a midweek watering as I didn't have time anyway. Every day the forecast has called for showers, but it passes my area by. Maybe it just passes my yard by and I'm cursed. would be with my luck. I was thinking septoria, but Mark makes a good point. Septoria usually (at least in my case ) works from the bottom up on my plants. Good luck Tracy, hopefully it passes but you might want to spray and see if it helps. I am not sure what is indicated for bacterial speck though. __________________ Antoniette

June 30, 2013	#8
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	I think I have septoria on some other plants, at the bottom like I'd expect. I'll do some spraying, I saw mancozeb recommended on that other link, I think I have some of that. Copper I'll have to get. __________________ Tracy

June 30, 2013	#10
Paradajz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Montenegro Posts: 275	actually, copper + mancozeb in tank mixture at regular doses would be the most recommended combination for a bacteria disease p.s. Tracey, what are those leafs like from the other ( back ) side, and could you enlarge just one leaf with the symptoms, both top and back sides? br Last edited by Paradajz; June 30, 2013 at 07:57 PM.

July 1, 2013	#11
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	I didn't see anything unusual on the back. I'll have to get a new leaf and take some more photos - thanks __________________ Tracy

July 1, 2013	#12
BucksCountyGirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Holland, PA/Zone 7A Posts: 692	I had a similar issue with the top leaves of my Kellogg's breakfast. I am by no means an expert, but I think mine was from spraying my Daconil on (what seems like) the only sunny day we'd had all June. I saw that no rain was expected that day so I ran home at lunch and sprayed my plants. I think the combo of the high noon sun and the spray burnt the leaves a little. I removed all of the effected foliage and haven't seen any spots going forward. Hope you have good luck with your plants. Cheers! __________________ - Kelli Life's a climb...but the view is fantastic

June 29, 2013	#2
ObliqueAngles Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Scotland, NY Posts: 20	Looks like septoria. If it ever dries out (we're going through the same weather in the northeast), the septoria may become irrelevant. As you say, it does little good to spray Daconil when there are several downpours per day. I find that septoria will stop spreading once the wet goes away. At least, that's what usually happens around here. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it will be dry anytime soon. Of course, the leaf damage won't be undone, but it will usually stop spreading once things dry up. In the meantime, you can remove the damaged leaves. You should see my yard - it's a virtual swamp in the low lying areas. May need to get mosquito dunks because there has been so much standing water over the past 2-3 weeks. Or, maybe take up boat building. We always wanted waterfront property. I hope the weather cooperates with you soon.

June 29, 2013	#3
Mark0820 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 907	I'm not certain what disease you have on your tomatoes, but the fact you are seeing it on the top of the plant indicates to me that it possibly could be bacterial spot. I had bacterial spot last year for the first time ever, and it started at the top of the plant (attacks the newer leaves). Having experienced it last year, I hope this is not the disease your plants are experiencing. http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series900/rpd910/

June 29, 2013	#6
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Rain rain go away and do not come another day..... I wouldn't like that either Tracy. I would have voted septoria too if you had not said it was at the top. It certainly won't hurt to treat it as one of the bacterials. Antoinette and Jeff, You guys are lucky to be relatively dry. Central Park was 2/10 of an inch away from the June record yesterday. Philly set a new one. I think I have received every bit of that. Currently battling early blight and now some kind of mold.