This is my third year at the tomato growing attempt, with no or little success. This year I planted them in a big hole filled with 3/4 Miracle Grow Soil and my soil. First few weeks they grew at a fantastic rate, but now the same yellowing has developed. Is this wilt? If so, what in the heck am I doing wrong? I water them regularly, talk to them, and at times, sing to them, albeit off key. [/img]
Maybe you should call the band and see what happens - Just kidding. I never could grow tomatoes either. So, will wait for the replies here.
My main plant is the tomato. I am growing 10 types this year. I am of the school that too many leaves are not a good thing and take away from growing good, large fruit. Try trimming off some of the leaves...seems a bit leafy...I add bone meal and dried blood to the soil and some good compost. Most garden supply stores have these. Take a look at my blog and check some pics from last year and the year before. You can see how I trim back the leaves on the plants. Good luck! Just a little trick to keep bugs away from the toms. Bugs hate Marigolds and Nastursiums. I plant several of these flowers near my toms and most bugs stay away.
Gardenmama is right. Your tomato plat seems too leafy to grow well. Tomato plants needs a good air circulation. If there are too many leaves, yellowing will be developed. As tomato plants grow, you'll need to snip off suckers - any small shoots that arise between the apex of the main vine and the leaf branch stems. This will force the plant to provide more fruit as they put less energy into growing vines and more into producing flowers and fruits. If you do not do this, especially for the vine type (intermediate) of tomatos, the plant will give very little or even no fruits or the green fruits will turn mature very slowly and all you get is a very leafy plant. Pinch off suckers as early as possible before they take lot of nutrition and energy from the plants. Tomato plants are hungry for nutrition. You need to fertilize them continuously. They will turn yellowing because of a lack of nitrogen. Growing leaves and braches needs a lot of nitrogen. Your plant has growed too many branches and leaves. The nitrogen in your base soil has been used up. You see, the two problem are related: too many leaves and lack of nitrogen. You'll need to give your plant a good trim: cut off all week branches at side and bottom positions. Fertilize it with fish emulsion weekly for nitrogen. To encuurage the plant to produce flowers and fruits, you'll also need to give them fertilizers with high potassium and phosphorous. Here is the picture of one of my tomato plants:
Dont know if this will help but home depot sells a liquid called terracycle that is organic and contains liqufied worm poop and my tomatoes love it!
I do not like tomato cages for the same reason your having problems. The leaves are shading the producing part of the plant. And if there is no air circulation or insects to help pollination, you get few tomatoes if any. Tomatoes need sun and air and its not getting enough. While a soil test wouldn`t hurt its not absolutely necessary. Just use a good all purpose fertilizer. I do not stake or cage my tomatoes, neither do I pick off suckers unless I want to root them and I always have a bumper crop. I do use horse manure on mine or as I did this year just dig a hole by the plant and sink a 2 litre drink bottle in it minus the bottom filled halfway with dried manure, add a tbsp or two of epsom salts then water well and as you fill the drink bottle and water the roots it will feed the plant with little fuss. You can prune off excess leaves and remove the cage now and see if that helps for this year.Or you can tie up the tops so more light and air can reach the interior, prune the leaves back and wait and see what happens. You may have enough blooms left to make ok. And go ahead and add a couple of tbsp of epsom salts to the soil around the plant and water it in well. It will help that leaf curl and prevent Blossom End Rot.
I agree with the others that are suggesting a good prune job. I remove the any leaves on the bottom 6" of stem, just so I don't get any water on the leaves. Pruning off the suckers will help a lot as well.
Looks like wilt to me. I suggest try growing them in a different spot next year at least 10 feet from where you are now. Try different varietes, some are more blight resistant than others till or dig in some compost or leaves. I would go easy on the fertilizer. If your soil is an issue get some garden soil sold by miraco and mix it with existing soil. Have had good luck it and has fertilizer in it. That is the only fertilizer I use. Tomatoes are doig great here in Montana. Also dont water the leaves, use a soaker hose. Hopefully these tips help.
