Expert: Mike Mascio - 8/11/2009

Question

I have 2 tomato plants in my vegetable garden outside. The second one wasn't very healthy when i got it, but now its growing nicely.

However, grew small white bumps on its stem, and now they've turned into a gather of white spikes about 3 mm long, with black tips. And now there are white bumps on my healthier tomato plant as well.

I'm worried that this might be bad for the plants, and if it can spread to the other plants, so how can i get rid of it?

Thanks for your help!

Answer
I sounds like your plants have contracted a fungus disease called powdery mildew. This disease can be controlled by spraying the plants with a copper-based fungicide. I personally use a product called Soap Shield, which can be reviewed at the link below.

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=8066&ss=Soap%20Shield

You need to act quickly to prevent the disease from spreading to the other plants. I would also spray those plants as a preventive measure.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike