We have had really strange weather lately, hot then cold then humid then wet then dry! Enough to make a tomato plant cry. Some of my customers have contacted about some leaf rolling, spots etc. Even I am starting to see what I think is called Septoria Leaf Spot. this is a guide that you can use to try and tell what is wrong with your tomato leaves. Courtesy of You Should Grow.
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes before, you’re probably familiar with tomato leaf problems. You might have noticed your tomato plant leaves turning yellow, brown, or getting spots.
We all love the flavor of a homegrown tomato. You just can’t get the same intensity and sweetness from any tomato at the grocery store. But homegrown tomatoes also come with lots of pest and disease issues.
The unfortunate reality is that tomatoes are susceptible to many pests and diseases. And many of them lead to yellow or brown spots on tomato leaves. Often you can determine the cause of the issue just by looking at the leaves.
The particular pattern of yellowing or spotting will give you lots of information about what disease or pest is plaguing your tomato plant. Use this guide to tomato leaf problems help you figure out what’s wrong and what, if anything, you can do about it.
As a tomato gardener nothing is more frustrating than seeing the leaves on your beloved tomato plants start to turn brown. Those lush green leaves are the plants’ solar panels – so when they turn brown it usually spells trouble.
Brown leaves on a tomato plant are often the first visible sign that something is wrong. The tricky part is figuring out exactly what the underlying issue is so you can take steps to fix it.
In this article, we’ll walk through the most common causes of brown leaves on tomato plants and what you can do about them. Read on to diagnose and treat this troublesome issue!
What Causes Brown Leaves on Tomato Plants?
There are a number of factors that can cause the leaves on your tomato plants to turn brown
Water Issues
Too much or too little water can cause leaves to brown. Underwatering causes leaves to dry out and crispy brown edges to form. Overwatering can cause roots to rot leading to browning leaves.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, or calcium can lead to brown spots and streaks on leaves.
Diseases
Fungal and bacterial diseases like early blight, late blight, and bacterial spot can cause brown spots, lesions, or general leaf browning.
Pests
Insects that suck juices from the plant like spider mites can cause stippling, spots, or browning on leaves. Chewing pests like hornworms can rapidly defoliate plants.
Sunscalding
If tomato foliage gets excessive sun exposure, brown scorched spots can form on leaves.
Herbicide Damage
Drift from nearby herbicide applications can cause tomato leaf scorching.
Environmental Stress
Factors like extreme heat, cold, wind, or hail can damage tomato foliage leading to browning.
So what steps should you take if you notice browning tomato leaves in your garden?
How to Treat Brown Leaves on Tomato Plants
If your tomato leaves are turning brown, take these steps to treat and correct the issue:
Step 1: Remove and Destroy Severely Damaged Leaves
Any leaves that are extremely dried out or brown should be plucked off the plant and discarded in the trash (not composted). This helps prevent disease spread.
Step 2: Check Soil Moisture
Stick your finger in the soil surrounding the plant. If dry 2-3 inches down, your plant needs water. If wet, hold off on watering.
Step 3: Assess Nutrient Status
Look at the color of newer top leaves. Yellowing indicates nitrogen deficiency. Purple leaves point to phosphorus lack. Curling or cupped leaves signals calcium issues. Fertilize accordingly.
Step 4: Scout for Pests
Carefully inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for any insects or webbing. Identify the pest and use appropriate organic pest control measures.
Step 5: Treat Disease
If significant spotting is present, identify the disease and treat with a fungicide. Remove and destroy heavily infected plants.
Step 6: Manage Environmental Conditions
Improve air flow around plants, use shade cloth if needed, and protect from extreme weather.
Step 7: Test Soil
If problems persist, have your soil tested to check pH and nutrient levels and amend as needed.
By taking these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get your tomato plants back to health and prevent further leaf browning. But prevention is the best cure, so next let’s look at how to avoid brown tomato leaves.
How to Prevent Brown Leaves on Tomato Plants
Here are some tomato care tips that can help avoid the problem of brown leaves in the first place:
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Water tomato plants at ground level consistently 1-2 inches per week.
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Use mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce water needs.
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Fertilize tomatoes regularly according to product instructions to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Prune leaves and stems to increase airflow and reduce disease risks.
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Stake or cage plants to prevent dirt contact and foliage damage.
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Check for pests like hornworms frequently to prevent defoliation.
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Use row covers to protect plants from harsh environmental conditions.
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Avoid overhead watering which can spread foliar diseases.
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Rotate tomato planting locations annually to prevent disease and nutrient issues.
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Select disease-resistant tomato varieties which are less prone to leaf issues.
By giving your tomato plants proper care and growing conditions, you’ll be less likely to run into problems with browning leaves. But even experienced gardeners can occasionally run into trouble – so keep this guide handy for troubleshooting whenever your tomato foliage needs a boost.
With a little investigative work and some TLC, you can nurse your plants back to full green glory. Here’s to healthy, thriving tomato plants and an abundant harvest to come!
Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease
Bacterial leaf spot disease can spread quickly from the tomato leaf to the entire plant, driven by the Xanthomonas bacteria, which causes brown, water-soaked spots on tomato plant leaves. Eventually, Bacterial leaf spot will infect the fruit as well.
Unfortunately, you will need to dispose of any plant with bacterial leaf spot disease immediately because no known effective treatment exists. Preventive measures are the best bet. Try planting your tomatoes in The Garden Patch GrowBox™, where water moves toward the roots instead of stagnating.
Additionally, using healthy seeds and not watering your plants from overhead will help you enjoy healthy tomatoes.
Another devastating disease that creates browning leaves on tomato plants, Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne fungus caused by Verticillium dahliae. If this disease is not mitigated quickly, it will spread to neighboring plants.
Verticillium wilt usually affects lower-lying leaves first, turning them brown. The disease then spreads to the stems, leaving them frail and wilted. Eventually, it spreads to the entire plant, causing overall devastation.
Since no effective treatment exists, gardeners can take preventive measures such as planting Verticillium wilt-resistant strains of tomatoes. Ensure that the soil in which you plant your tomatoes receives plenty of air to prevent root rot and fungus. This way, you’ll never have to look at browning leaves on your tomato plants and wonder: What does this mean?
musings from her garden Search
We have had really strange weather lately, hot then cold then humid then wet then dry! Enough to make a tomato plant cry. Some of my customers have contacted about some leaf rolling, spots etc. Even I am starting to see what I think is called Septoria Leaf Spot. this is a guide that you can use to try and tell what is wrong with your tomato leaves. Courtesy of You Should Grow.
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes before, you’re probably familiar with tomato leaf problems. You might have noticed your tomato plant leaves turning yellow, brown, or getting spots.
We all love the flavor of a homegrown tomato. You just can’t get the same intensity and sweetness from any tomato at the grocery store. But homegrown tomatoes also come with lots of pest and disease issues.
The unfortunate reality is that tomatoes are susceptible to many pests and diseases. And many of them lead to yellow or brown spots on tomato leaves. Often you can determine the cause of the issue just by looking at the leaves.
The particular pattern of yellowing or spotting will give you lots of information about what disease or pest is plaguing your tomato plant. Use this guide to tomato leaf problems help you figure out what’s wrong and what, if anything, you can do about it.
How To Turn Yellow Leaves On Tomato Plants Green (5 Hacks)
FAQ
How to fix brown leaves on tomato plants?
If you find a crispy, brown edge developing around the leaves, you likely need to water your plants more. To correctly water your tomatoes, water at the root of the plant. Tomato roots run deep, so making sure they’re receiving adequate water goes a long way in keeping them happy.
What do overwatered tomato leaves look like?
Overwatering tomatoes can lead to yellow and spotted leaves, while underwatering results in wilt and diseased fruit.Mar 1, 2024
Should I cut off brown tomato leaves?
Pruning tomatoes encourages strong growth and fruit yield. Removing dead or diseased leaves and branches will also assist in lessening the likelihood of pests or illnesses that might harm your crop. Along with trimming, be sure to water, feed, and weed-free your crops.