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Aphids on Tomatoes
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Date Posted: Tue, Aug 17 - 8:43 pm
- Help! Aphids are attacking my tomato plants. What're some good ways of getting rid of aphids without damaging the tomato plant itself? Also, how important is it to get rid of aphids in the first place?
- I can certainly feel your pain regarding this issue! It’s a common problem this time of year. Fortunately, there is a very effective and relatively simple solution to rid your tomato plants of aphids. To answer your second question, it is in fact important to get rid of the aphids. They can put stress on your tomato plants which will negatively impact yield. Aphids suck sap from the leaves which results in leaves curling and turning yellow, and if left untreated can ultimately kill the plant. A very safe and organic treatment solution is a mix of 1-2 ounces of Neem Oil to a gallon of water. Apply this solution via spray bottle to your plants, and apply in the morning or early evening. It can be reapplied every 7-14 days if the problem persists. This solution is not harmful to other animals or birds. It sounds like you identified this problem early so your plants should be fine if you treat them soon. Best of luck!
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Tomato plants yellowing from bottom upwards
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Date Posted: Tue, Aug 17 - 8:39 pm
- My tomato plants are dying from the bottom up! The the bottom branches start yellowing and looking dry and then die and then it begins creeping up the rest. Is there any hope for them?
- Hello there, This could be as simple a problem as too much or too little water. Or perhaps the top leaves are shading the bottom leaves and causing the yellowing because there isn't enough sunlight (about 8 hours). If this is the case, correct the watering and sun/shade issue (if possible) and remove the yellowed leaves so they don't unnecessarily drain the plant's energy. Tomatoes should have about 1-2 inches of water a week. It's best to water early in the day. Here are some other things to consider: Nutrients-Are they getting their nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium? This is key. Pests-you didn't mention seeing any insects but take a closer look. Are you planting your tomatoes in the same spot you've planted in past years (assuming you have)?- It's best to move your planting each year to avoid soil-born diseases. You didn't mention this but are there brown spots within the yellowing leaves? Possibly a fungus in the soil. What tomato varieties have you planted? Try heirlooms or those bred for resistance to wilts and blights. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Tomato-Blossom End Rot
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Date Posted: Tue, Aug 17 - 8:37 pm
- I'm just starting to see fruit on my tomato vines, but unfortunately they look to already be developing blossom end rot. I'm using a mixture of organic soil with fertilizer and perlite, and I'm not sure if the plant is salvageable. What can I do to help this plant? And what advice can you give for other tomato plants to prevent this blossom end rot? Is there something I can apply early on to prevent this? Thanks!
- Hello there, This is a pretty standard issue with tomatoes. Generally, the cause is inconsistent watering and/or a calcium deficiency. So the first step would be to establish a consistent level of watering for your plants. Of course, Mother Nature plays a role here as well, you can't control that. If you're sure that watering is not the problem, then you need to think about calcium. Without testing the soil you won't know the level of deficiency. But if you want to proceed, there is a short-term fix. I haven't tried this myself because the cause for me was generally a watering issue, but you can spray the plant with a calcium solution. That will buy you some time to increase the calcium content in your soil. There may be enough calcium in the soil but the ph of the soil may be preventing the plant from absorbing it. I don't understand all the chemistry of this but soil ph is the root of plant happiness. A ph of around 6.5 will do. Try adding some fast-acting lime (don't use dolomitic lime) and working that into the soil about 12 inches deep.The lime frees up the calcium from the soil. As I said previously about chemistry....This is a time-honored practice so it should work for you if, in fact, you find that watering is not the problem. If you would like to have a soil profile done, please let us know and we can send you a soil test request kit. Good luck with the tomato harvest!
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Small white bugs on tomato leaves
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Date Posted: Fri, Aug 06 - 8:44 pm
- I have little white bugs on the leaves of my tomato plants, how can I remove them organically.
- Great question, and a common problem at this point of the growing season. It sounds like you have aphids on your tomato plant leaves, and a good, safe, and organic way to treat your plants is with a neem oil solution. Neem oil is plant based organic oil. Mix two teaspoons of the neem oil to a gallon of warm water, mix well, and spray your tomato plants. You can reapply every 7 days. Neem oil is not harmful to humans, birds, or other animals. In very dry weather, make sure your tomato plants are well watered before applying the neem oil solution. Feel free to reach out to us if other questions come up!