Expert: Don Battales Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: early girl tomatos
Question My garden has been in since 1st week in April. I live in Cental California (1 hour south of Sacramento). I have 4 tomato plants in an area approx. 4'x6'. They are Early Girls, Beefsteak, Cherry and Romas. All are VERY green, have little green tomatos formed, no bugs eating on the leaves or stem and the stem is healthy and hard. Yesterday evening, I was deep watering and a little weeding(not many to pick, my garden is almost perfect looking) and all looked awesome and healthy. 12 hours later my Early Girl is drooping a little, the leaves are doing a little curl and a couple inner branch don't feel tight and strong. I know I have the upperhand on whatever is happening. Please tell me, "what is happening!!" Everything in the garden is flourishing beautifully. The Roma and Beefsteak are next to the Early Girl. I hope this is enough 411 to get an idea. Thanks.
Answer Carrie:
I know how disappointing it is when you do everything right and then something happens to your plants.
My best guess is that something is attacking the roots of the plant. There are a number of things that can cause this. Root problems are hard to deal with without damaging the plant. Ask your local garden supply if he has a means of helping you deal with this problem.
Although most tomatoes are nemitode resistant, it is always possible that this may be the problem. I don't think so. Nemitodes leave a white sticky substance on the roots.
In the meantime, look very close on the bottom part of the leaves to insure that there are no mites attacking the leaves. They are hard to see. The great concern is that this could spread to the other plants.
I know that I have not been much help to you but this is the best I can offer.
Hoping that you get the situation under control soon.
