I apologize up front for this -- I'm sure it's been answered, but when I search I end up with 100 posts about pumpkins. I guess I don't know how to search well. I know there is a "definitive" tomato post somewhere, if someone could point me to that.
Now the problem. I started tomato plants (cherry and grape) from seed back in March and they've been doing splendidly until recently. Here are their stats:
-- living under fluorescent lights in my 66 degree basement
-- repotted several weeks ago using a nursery-brand potting mix that seemed ok to me (e.g. it was light and seemed porous enough).
-- watered every other day
-- fertilized using a weak houseplant fertilizer (Schultz Plant Food Plus, 10-15-10)
Problems:
-- older leaves are lighter green with darker green veins
-- many leaves have brown spots that are actually crunchy (dead). Spots are large, maybe 1/4 x 3/4 oblong
-- some plants are wilting, one has even fallen over
-- some individual leaves are curling and wilting
Have I over watered, or maybe they need more than fluorescent lighting now? I will post pictures if that will help diagnosis (of course it would). I have broccoli living in the same conditions and doing great, though I do also see a few paler leaves there, too.
Thanks for any help you can give, and again I'm sorry for what I'm sure is an often repeated post.
barb
Tomato leaves: pale green, brown crunchy spots, and wilting
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/tomatoes.htm
Maybe you can find some answers here.
Oh yeah! Thanks, very helpful.
barb
When you discribe the leaves it makes me think that you my want to incresae the strength of your fertilizer. The crunchy leaves make me think of spider mites which are more common when the plants are indoors. Neem oil should get rid of them.
Lisa
Hey Cot, Tomatoes like a 6-8-8 fert., and soak them once a week if outside. Down here in zone 9a they wilt by 3 in the afternoon, so we soak them once a day! Also toms like more acid soil, 6.2-6.5 p.h. This can make a big difference. Your big problem is probably too cold and not enough of the full-spectrum light. Toms like full sun all day and then some.
Here is tomato forum
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/tomatoes/all/
Jerry
