What's your question? Ask

Container Tomato Plants

Q.what is wrong with my tomato plants?

Anonymous added on July 5, 2015 | Answered

I bought two tomato plants in a container for my patio. The containers are about 12 inches. I have green tomatoes now but the leaves are wilted and the edges are brown (dying) on some of them. The have yellow around the edge with the brown being on the very edge. I have tried watering less and watering more. I have sprayed with fungicide, though I don’t think that is the problem. I have looked at a lot of pictures of diseases for tomato plants and no bulls eye, spots, etc. The plants are Big Boy. I am at a loss as what to do next. The brittle brown edges seem to be getting worse. The size of the container concerns me. I really thought I was underwatering. Even my blooms are starting to turn brown and dying. It has been a very dry season for us. I live in Michigan zone 5. Hardly any rain! I have been watering once a day to every other day just depending on how it looks and how it feels when I pick it up. Any advice?? P.S. the few yellow/brown leaves are not at the bottom of the plant more like the middle, but as I said earlier just a few which I have been pulling off here and there. Mostly just all the edges are brown and looks wilted.

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
Heather
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on July 5, 2015

This could be any number of things but most likely they need more water. In a container, plants need to be watered everyday in hot weather. Leave the hose on the tomato plants for 15 minutes or so, allowing the water to run through the container to rehydrate the plants.

Here is an article that may help with the yellowing and can also be applied to brown leaves: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/yellow-tomato-leaves.htm

Is there is any spotting, it could signal Early Blight. Here is an article on that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/early-blight-alternaria-tomato-leaf-spots-yellow-leaves.htm

Was this answer useful?
00

thebeacon
Answered on July 5, 2015

Hello Melissa, this is how I see it.Not knowing what type of sun exposure your plant is receiving, makes answering your question like throwing a dart blindfolded. Is it only late afternoon sun or morning? What type of pot are you using? This also make a difference in the amount of water required. Brown edges are an indicator of at least a few problems. But most of all, your type of tomato, "big boy" is not suited to container living, in my opinion. Your fighting an uphill battle. Try this, go to your local nursery and see if they have an "early girl" or similar. Buy a bag of organic compost and a bag of epson salts. Treat your old plant and your new one to about a tablespoon of epson dissolved in a gallon of water and a few hand full of compost and water only when the soil is just dry to the touch. Good luck Michael

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Container Tomato Plants
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK