Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi

Just wondering if someone can help. The leaves on two of my tomato plants have curled up and the veins on the under surface have gone purple. The ends also feel crisp. They both have loads of green tomatoes and i have a feeling that I'm going to loss both plants.

Any ideas? Is there hope?

BTW, I'm growing them in pots.

Thanks
CADS

Hi CADS
Are your plants indoor or outdoor. If they are indoors it could be irregular watering, shortage of water. If they are outdoors, it sounds like wind could be the problem - I have had 450 tom plants sitting outside on pallets now for two weeks awaiting collection but the guy keeps putting it off (don't care as I have already been paid) and they are the same as you describe. I still water them but they do not like being exposed to the elements. No tomatoes on them but loads of flowers, in spite of their poor treatment.
The only other thing I can think of is lack of feed - try giving them a boost with a tomato feed or even a general purpose feed and see if they pick up.
Hope you sort it out.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

Sometimes when they put on a growth spurt the leaves curl up. They do straighten themselves out eventually. Are we talking about new leaves or old leaves, though cos that does make a difference.

Thanks for replying sewer rat and rustylady.

They are outdoor tomatoes and it is the older leaves that are affected, practically all over them. The edges of the actually leaves are curling up and underneath the veins are purple.

If they're in pots, make sure you water regularly. It's a job to get it just right in pots outdoors. If the leaves lose all their green colour, or go brown and slimy then take them off. Otherwise leave them and see what happens.

Probably not much help Cads, but tomatoes curl their leaves if they are not happy. What they are not happy about is a different problem. Since they are outdoors it's probably the weather. Where in the country are you ? (You can go into personal profile and show us). I don't think the weather has been great anywhere - wet and windy. But even sulking with curled leaves, tomatoes can go on to do well. I do hope they will be OK.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Thanks Alice

I'm in East Surrey and the weather hasn't been great for the last few weeks. One minute its sunny and the next wet and windy.

I'm just worried that all the leaves are dying and they won't be able to do their job. I have so many tomatoes on the plants that it would be really upsetting to lose them all because the leaves are dead. This is my first time at growing my own veg so haven't got any idea what is going on with the plants.

Can a tomatoes still ripen without any leaves on the plant?

CADS

CADS, you said that the leaves were curling, not dropping off. It's a bit like staring at the sky , fists clenched saying "When is this weather going to improve". My grdening mentor you'st to say to me "Don't let them get cold feet by overwatering and give them a good feed". And my toms plants leaves still you'st to curl!

Without any leaves ! Hopefully it won't come to that Cads. I'd blame the weather. If it's still cold and windy can you give them any protection. Move them into the greenhouse, or a more sheltered spot or put a fleece tent over them. Ridiculous for June but that's the way the weather is. My outdoor cucumbers are dying by inches but the tomatoes are doing fine. I hope yours will be OK.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.