On 19 Mar 2004 14:08:36 GMT, (Surfgeotwo) wrote:

i am in southeast texas and have several local varieties of 3 week old plants
going. they are looking outwardly very healthy, 12" to 24" high, and lush -
with the plants 2 to 4 times larger than when transplanted 3 weeks ago.
however the new growth leaves at the top seem to curl under and look withered a
bit, but seem to eventually become normal as the next new growt comes in and
looks the same.

i know it may sound wierd, but i cant think of anyother way to describe it. i
have grown tomatos in the same spot for years and never seen this before. i
did plant differently this time - soil well mixed with last years mulch and
well-composted cow manure, 3 tblsp of osmocote in each hole with the
transplants, a small mound of mushroom compost at the base of each plant, then
mulch. plenty of natural watering as this is our wet season.....

any ideas?


First, growing tomatoes in the same place year after year is asking
for trouble. Soil born diseases are more likely to develop when the
same plants or family of plants are grown in the same place year
after year. Fusarium wilt, verticilium spelling may be off there
wilts, anthracnose are common problems that once in the soil are
difficult if not downright impossible to get rid of.

Rotate where the family of plants grow. Tomatoes, potatoes,
eggplant, etc, don't plant them where any of them have grown year
after year, and don't plant them near plants that suffer from the same
diseases like raspberries.

That said. Look under the leaves of the new growth for aphids, spider
mites, or whatever other sucking pests you may have in your area. If
you find them there, mash 'em, spray them off with water. Sometimes
doing that will take care of it. If it doesn't, then insecticidal
soap that causes them to dry out will get rid of soft bodied sucking
insects. If there are aphids there, watch for ants also who will farm
aphids, carry them around to new feeding grounds and get rewarded with
"honeydew"

Janice