How to Troubleshoot Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are one of the most popular choices for home gardens. They are quite easy to grow and can yield a bounty of fruit all summer long. There is nothing better than a homegrown tomato, ripened in the summer sun. They are delicious in salads, sandwiches or on their own, sprinkled with a little sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Tomatoes like heat and will come to their full maturity usually in late July and August, depending on your zone. It is important to keep the soil moist but not too wet, especially during the height of the summer. Many of the problems with tomato plants are the result of over- or underwatering. By carefully monitoring the level of moisture in your soil, you can have healthy plants and a bountiful harvest.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check the leaves and stems of the plant. Tomatoes can be susceptible to all kinds of garden critters, including beetles and cutworms. An infestation of bugs can cause the leaves to wither and die, or the blossoms to fall off. A natural alternative to chemical insecticides is pyrethrum, derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It is available at most garden centers.

2. Check the stems of the plants for splitting, spots or mildew. Overwatering can cause the stems to rot. There are also several different types of fungal rot that can affect both the stems and the fruit. Fungus can be difficult to get rid of and will probably require a commercial fungicide to dispatch.

3. Check the fruit for splitting or cracking. Usually this is caused by allowing the tomatoes to dry out completely in the heat, and then overwatering them to compensate. The fruit will become plumped up with water, but the skins can't expand enough, so they crack.

4. Watch for dark or black spots or mold on the fruit as it ripens. Spots can be attributed to many different types of tomato rot, but there are a couple of common types to look out for, including blossom end rot, in which the end of the tomato opposite the stem begins to soften and turn black. Another common type is anthracnose, a fungus that can splash onto the plant when watering, causing round black spots all over the fruit. A commercial fungicide will probably be necessary to solve these problems, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Discard infected fruit or plants. Unfortunately, once a plant is infected, it becomes difficult to stop the spread of disease to other plants. The best alternative is to either prune away infected portions of the plants, or to get rid of the plants completely.

6. Monitor the size of your plants. If they become too large, they can tip over, and in some cases the roots can be exposed. If the plant is resting on the ground, the tomatoes won't ripen properly and may rot from contact with the dirt. A tomato cage or bamboo support will keep the heavy tomato plants upright. Always tie plants loosely to give them an opportunity to grow.

References

• Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension---Tomato Problem Solver