Earlier in the year, before any gardens were planted, I wrote an article about problems gardeners will have with the most popular plant---tomatoes. I have gotten many calls and made home visits on the problems with tomatoes.
1. Plant Lice/Aphids: These small green, red or gray insects will suck a plant dry plus they secrete a sugary substance causing additional problems. To effectively control aphids on tomatoes, use Malathion. Please, DO NOT USE SEVIN DUST OR LIQUID to control aphids on tomatoes. This insecticide will cause aphids to multiply on your plants.
2. Wilts: There are two destructive wilts that affect plants in our parish. They are:
Fusarium wilt is characterized by leaf yellowing that progresses upward from the base of the plant. The plants slowly die. They look fresh in early morning and decline during the day. This will continue for several days until the plants finally wilt permanently and die. Fusarium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus that can live in soil for many years.
Bacterial wilt is sudden. Plants will not show yellowing of leaves. The stem of the plant in the center, or pith, becomes water-soaked, later turns brown and sometimes becomes hollow. Cut across the stem, squeeze it and place in a glass of water with a paperclip supporting it on the rim of the glass. You can see the white stream of bacteria from the plant.
Tomato spotted wilt is caused by a virus that usually is spread by thrips. The foliage is severely spotted with light green mottling and small grayish-brown, thin dead spots. Shoot tips may die. The spotted wilt virus can over-winter in weeds and ornamental plants. I have talked/written about planting the BHN 444 tomato variety that has resistance against the spotted wilt virus.
3. Blossom-End Rot: This symptom is caused by insufficient calcium (not enough
lime) when the fruit is forming, and is characterized by a large dry, brown to black and often depressed, leathery area at the blossom end or bottom of the tomato. Low calcium usually results from putting too much nitrogen fertilizer, rapid plant growth and drastic moisture fluctuation caused by drought, heavy rain, or you, the gardener, not watering properly.
Remember, on wilts of tomatoes NOTHING can be done now. You can control blossom-end rot by using quick reacting lime and maintaining good moisture.
Please don’t let these things prevent you from planting a vegetable garden. With the price of food continuing to rise, a small family garden can save those precious dollars for other family essentials. I will be doing a series on vegetable gardening, the problems and benefits.