Tomato leaf problems

[joedoyle]

First post! We're growing tomatoes for the second year now, and have come across a problem. The leaves are developing golden blotches (see photo). I've looked around for the various diseases, etc online and can't pin it down. The affected areas start in the middle of the leaf in small patches, growing larger gradually. They seem to be translucent, as if the 'green' bit of the leaf had been scraped off a film. The affected plants seem weaker than the others. Any help welcome!
Thanks
Joe

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Joe, yellowing of tomato plant leaves is usually a sign of a nutrient deficieny. The most common is magnesium deficiency which is easily and quickly sorted by giving the plants a foliar feed a few times in a fortnight with epsom salts diluted in water 20g to one litre.

[Lesley Jay]

Joe, if you could post your photo's again as clickable thumbnails then we will be able to enlarge them. To do that, when you click on Post Reply scroll down the page and click on Manage Attachments. Click on 'Browse' which opens the files on your PC. Then click on the file containing your photo's, click on open, then click on your photo file and click on open. Then click on the photo you want and then click on upload. Click on browse again to upload another photo the same way. Then write your post, click on Submit Reply and your thumbnail photo's will appear on your post.

[joedoyle]

Here are the photos enlarged. The affected areas seem to be spreading but don't affect new growth...still not sure if it's harming the plants or if it'll pass
joe

[stupo74]

Hi joedoyle,
As mentioned by the lovely Lesley J, Magnesium Deficiency is one of the most common signs of the yellowing leaves on your tom plants.

However, i have had a little read today, and need to ask if the underside of the affected leaves are the same?? or are there any purplish brown mould patches?? Could it be a sign of "Tomato Leaf Mould" apparently the upper surface of the leaf will be yellow, but the underside, will be as mentioned above.
The treatment advised in such a case, is to remove some of the lower leaves & spray with "Carbendazim" at the first signs of attack.

All the above info was read in the "Vegetable Expert" book, by D G Hessayon

Hope some of the info helps, cheers stupo.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Joe, the marks on the leaves look like scorch, which is nothing to worry about, but wetting the leaves when watering makes the scorch worse. The beads of water on the leaves act like a magnifying glass when the sun hits them. Always water around the base of the plant.

[gregwynne]

I also have problems with spots on my tomato leaves and have had no luck finding out what is wrong, any help would be great. I will attempt to att. a picture

[DavidT]

Good evening Gregwynne and welcome to the site. You too have a mild case of scorch.

[gregwynne]

Hi , thanks for the reply, thats what I thought too, but the start out as tan colored circles, now they are multiplying and eventually there are tiny little holes everywhere there was a spot, some leaves look as if they were hit with a shot gun

[gregwynne]

I am adding another photo, to show what I mean

[DavidT]

Greg, IT`S SCORCH.

[gregwynne]

ok, Dave, I am thankfull for your help, whats the best thing I can do to help the plant, I water from the bottom and dont fool with them when they are wet. Its nice to find a friendly place for help on these things. Again Thank You!

[DavidT]

Greg scorch is a physiological disease. The effects are just cosmetic, do not worry about it.

[fromthecrowsnest]

Does anyone have this problem with tomato leaves.

The varieties are Gardener's Delight and Super Sweet, both grown in 40mm large pots with a mixture of compost and sifted soil. I have used this method in previous years without a problem. They are outside on the patio in full sun.

[DavidT]

Assuming there is no sign of any pest, then there is no problem. Sometimes Tomatoes do this.

[fromthecrowsnest]

Thanks for that David.

I've come to the conclusion that it was the really hot days and clear nights we had just recently.

No spots anyway,healthy enough, only does not look good on the plants.

If we get a fine Summer ( as recently forecast, kiss of death) this year, with no endless days of rain, I hopefully will avoid the dreaded blight.