Similar leaf symptoms on squash, tomatoes, and beans

Patterson, CA

Hi all. This is my second year vegetable gardening and I did a few things different this year than last (like not planting 10 squash plants), but I have noticed a drying, pitted pattern on the leaves of my beans first, then the tomatoes, and finally the squash. They are all in the same bed which leads me to believe that the same pest has merely moved on to infest the other plants. However, while I know I have mild whitefly and aphid problems (I grow organically and had control until the weather began heating up), I don't think they are the cause of these leaf symptoms. Overall, the plants seem like their vigor is reduced, since I have only just now set tomatoes, there are few squash flowers, and the beans keep dropping their flowers. Any and all advice is appreciated!

Thumbnail by Hortlove
Patterson, CA

Here is another picture of the leaf up close--this is a bean leaf.

Thumbnail by Hortlove
Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a)

I'm seeing something similar on my tomatoes. No sign of
insects or disease, and there are an abundance of blossoms
now. We did have a major early heat wave, followed by
some days of high winds so I though perhaps it was weather
related.

San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b)

okay.
I am a newbie to veggie gardening too. Defnitely never had to landscape in some fragile plants like veggie plants are! But, this looks like a classic case of the Heats!!! My own tomato plants seem to be undergoing this same thing. I hope the more experienced gardening aren't laughing too hard to answer the question!?! LOL!! Can you confirm that its classic heat death to a plant? That central burnt out look is typical, right?

Patterson, CA

Thanks you guys for your input! I don't know if it's merely the heat or not, since the completely dead leaves show raised, pitted circles (don't think I can zoom in close enough on the photos for you to see) on them as well, which made me suspect a sucking insect of some sort (say that three times fast, lol). Also, I trimmed off the dying leaves to see if it was only those affected ones, but they continue to die. I am living in the same place as last year, and my plants didn't show these signs. What especially has me worried is the sluggish squash, since usually nothing gets them down. I guess I'll just wait it out...

Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a)

I skipped planting squash this year. We live in the city and my plants are
all in 12-gallon containers against a wall at the side of the house. Last year
we had an invasion of squash beetles all over the city. I think half of them
landed at my house and I was not about to deal with that again this year.

Patterson, CA

Oh june that sounds terrible! I have been lucky not to have arthropod invaders in my vegetables (knock on wood) yet, although I have a terrible invasion of black vine weevils in my front yard which have been devouring ever flowering plant I have planted out there. Last year I lost my entire crop of zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, and Shasta daisies to them, since there are so many of them that they eat the entire plant--leaving nothing to grow back. I have yet to find any in the backyard, thank God, but I need to find control for the front ASAP, but so far not much is working. See the pic below for the damage on my poor Shasta daisies--they're almost completely defoliated. I am very upset since no one else on my street seems to have them, and I raise flowers to enter at our county fair, but because of these wretched things I have had to scratch my entries for the past two years. Anyone know how to eradicate weevils? I've heard of the beneficial nematodes to kill the larvae, but is there anything to deter or kill the adults? I'm at my wit's end here!

Thumbnail by Hortlove
Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a)

Hortlove: You might check www.gardensalive.com or
even call their customer services: 513-354-1482. They
are very knowledgeable and have always been helpful
to me. I see that they do carry nematodes for various
purposes but I've never used them. It wouldn't hurt to
talk with them and you don't have to actually order
anything.


Patterson, CA

Thanks june, I think I'll give them a call, thank you for your advice!

Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a)

You're welcome. I hope they can help. Odd how different
areas of the country have such different gardening
challenges. I always appreciate any help I can get!

Morrisville, PA(Zone 6b)

Here is the remedy that I used ..... I sprayed all the plants with the following solution:
1 gallon water
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon shampoo

I pruned the leaves that showed major damage.

My veggies have received two applications of the above solution .... last spray was about a week ago ..... 1st application about 3 weeks ago.

Patterson, CA

Thank you for the recipe, merrymath, although I'm a little unsure as what it's used for. Is this for the weevils? Just so I can name what it's for in my remedy notes...

Morrisville, PA(Zone 6b)

Its to kill fungus...... Grrrrrr I just noticed a few of the newer luscious green leaves on some squash with white spots .... guess tomorrow I will spray those plants with my remedy.

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