Dappled curled leaves on my tumbler tomatoes

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

Hi all,

It's my first year planting vegetables. Everything seems to be going nicely except that my tumbler tomatoes have a lighter green dappling and are curling inwards. It's not happening to all the leaves.

I was wondering what the cause is and if I can remedy it? I can post a photo soon if this helps.

Thanks!

GPI · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

A photo would be great SweetBean.
Then we can work out a cure for you.

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

I'll get on it, Thanks!

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

Here are what some of the leaves look like:

And here's a fully green set of leaves on the same plant:

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GPI · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

The slight leaf curl that appears on your leaves can happen through various factors such as the compost being too wet for too long (overwatering).
Excessive sunshine through glass can sometimes cause this as well as the lime green discolouration on the leaves.
Another reason is a growing location that is too stuffy, so vent occasionally.
It is worth noting as well that certain tomato types naturally curl the leaves downward in this way especially the mature leaves when the plant is growing well.
I have seen this on tumblers before, and to be honest I would be really be more concerned if the foliage curled upwards as it can with certain tomato ills.

To recap.... steady watering/feeding and vent occasionally.
Two further points, the plants look fairly healthy otherwise (flower buds visable), what are you feeding them with?
What are you growing them in, do I spy half of 5 litre water containers? Wink

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

Thanks so much GPI, I feel much better about my beautiful tumblers! Its possible I've been watering them a little too much. I feed them about twice a week now with tescos organic tomato liquid feed. I got given a couple hanging baskets and I lined them with some well holed plastic and newspaper (I'm a bit of an experimenter and scavenger when it comes to these things). I have 2 tumbler plants in each basket and a couple of marigolds to keep the pests at bay.

Thanks again!

GPI · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

I had a small infestation of little white fly earlier in the month but sprayed them with soap and tea tree oil and have had no problems since then. I'm not sure if the marigolds really make a huge difference but I wanted to learn about companion planting anyway.

I must do an experiment next year and grow one tomato plant without any marigolds around.

Loncey · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject:

my tomato plant leaves have all curled inward and are a dark green,like they are hugging the plant or just praying for rain, I go for the latter. They are flowering nicely though so I am just wondering whats the reason for the leaves curling please???
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I grow veg but I dont eat them!!! or fruit....

GPI · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

Steady watering/feeding and vent occasionally.
If you think they are "praying for rain," then maybe they are.
Check the soil compost at their base for dryness.
A rule of thumb..... Feel the soil with your fingers, if the top inch of soil feels dry, then water .

If you follow these tips and the leaves are still curling in , but growing well eg. flowering/fruiting, I would not worry too much.
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Loncey · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

thanks. i water them every 2nd day and feed them about twice a week... i guess they are doing alright as they are still flowering ok... ill let you know how they get on
_________________
I grow veg but I dont eat them!!! or fruit....

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

One of my tumbler tomato plants just cracked at the base. It was growing upwards and had began to veer downwards so I wasn't too worried but then it seem it was all too much, and it cracked. I was thinking of putting duct tape around the damage and hope it will heal itself. Is this a good idea?

Dr. Sunny Thomson · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

Had that with one of my tomatoes last year as well. It was wind that did it i think. I propped up the cracked stem so that the wound was virtually invisable. I used a few clipppings from my birch tree to do the propping. You know the type witth the typical Y shaped kids home-made catapult look.
Any way the tomato plant survived and went on to produce some good fruit. Smile

GPI · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

SweetBean · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Dublin

Thank you to both of you for your imput. I really appreciate it loads.