Gardenhammerette's way with tomatoes

[davidk]

Hi Gardenhammerette!

Congratulations on your excellent contribution.
Hope you don't mind me mentioning the dreaded 'tomato blight'. This is often problematic particularly with outdoor grown tomatoes, especially during damp conditions.

I've found choosing blight resistant varieties is one the best insurances to protect against the problem - Ferline (available from Thompson & Morgan) has one of the best records in this respect.

[Deleted]

David K

Thank you for your comments. I've never tried Ferline, but I tend not to buy from the big seed companies. I prefer Organic seed or Heritage Varieties.

I have to say that I'm not expert in any way, infact I have learnt from my own mistakes and simply reading a few books/magazines.

Infact, I believe, the blight which affects outdoor grown Tomatoes is Potato Blight which can be a devastating disease. The signs to look out for are brown areas on the edges of the leaves which spread until the leaves are killed. I think the stems also show brown/black patches. (Fortunately,for me, I have never encountered such problem).

If this should happen the plnat and crop would be unfit for consumption.

I'm sure there are chemical treatments available to combat Potato/Tomato Blight but I do not use any chemicals on my crops, defeats the object IMO, I amy as well just buy from the supermarket!!!

Do you think I should add a list of all the other potential Tomato problems? I don't want to put any new growers off giving them a try.

[davidk]

HI GH!

Inasmuch as a lot of grower's tomatoes do seem to suffer from blight it may be worth mentioning.

[Deleted]

I really don't want to put anyone off having a go and growing their own Tomatoes - or anything else for that matter - all home grown veg is far superior in freshness, quality and taste IMO.

But, as David K has raised the subject of disease that may occur to crops, I thought it best to list some more of the more commonly occuring disease. These I have quoted from books/magazines, as I appear to have been fortunate and never encountered any such problems with my personal Tomato growing.

These are likey to affect the actual plant. I'll list problems with the fruits seperately (might have to wait abit - I don't type that quick!!!)

Tomato Leaf Mould - Brown/Purple mould patches appear on the undersides of the leaves. Upeer suface may have Yellow patches. Lower leaves are usually attacked first.
Treat by removing lower leaves and Prevent by ensuring adequate ventilation in the greenhouse (especially on a warm, still night)

Magnesuim Deficiency - Discolouration of the leaves, starts with the lower leaves and moves upward, all leaves could become affected. A common disorder. Treat with a spray which contains magnesuin (or Epsom Salts) and Prevent by using a feed/fertilizer high in magnesuim.

Grey Mould (Botrytis) - Grey and furry patches of mould which usually start on the stem, if it spreads to the flower stalk the fruit will drop. Treat by cutting out diseased areas and Prevent by reducing humidity/increasing ventilation. Avoid overcrowding of plants and remove any decaying leaves.

[skarloey]

Hmmmmm..... do you think we should mention the possibility of all diseases on all the greengrocer crops? Personally, I think it might be a little off putting talking of leek rust and the fact that most of my brassicas were eaten by flippin' catterpillas last year

OR, should we do a separate thread to the greengrocer thread stating all the possible problems but to only look if you are troubleshooting so as not to scare yourself??? ;D

[Deleted]

Hi All Greengrocery type folk!

Can I very nicely ask.......Let's all go with the enthusiasm of sowing stuff, especially as there are a few folk growing for the first time! Get the bloomin' seeds germinated! Whatever we have all decided upon

I think in general "our" problems, if indeed there are any, can await! Afterall they are different from year to year. I intend, for example, to post the potato growers "blight watch" warnings updates from late July onwards for our toms and spuds....

The above words are just a ruse to say my toms have fully germinated. Yippee