Sudden wilt in tomato plant
 

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A week ago I transplanted a tomato plant (Hungarian Italian, about 7 weeks
old) into a 7-gal. pot with fresh potting soil. The plant was healthy and
vigorous when it went in. Now it's drooping, even though I've watered it
generously. The plants in adjoining pots (planted at the same time and
under the same conditions) seem to be doing just fine. I've checked the
stem of the plant and it doesn't seem to be cut off below ground (I know
some insects and grubs can do this). Does anyone know what could be the
problem here?

Thanks in advance.

-- dkra

"dkra" wrote in message
...
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A week ago I transplanted a tomato plant (Hungarian Italian, about 7 weeks
old) into a 7-gal. pot with fresh potting soil. The plant was healthy and
vigorous when it went in. Now it's drooping, even though I've watered it
generously. The plants in adjoining pots (planted at the same time and
under the same conditions) seem to be doing just fine. I've checked the
stem of the plant and it doesn't seem to be cut off below ground (I know
some insects and grubs can do this). Does anyone know what could be the
problem here?


Could be shock from transplanting. You don't say whether it went in the pot
with a good clump of soil on its roots or if it was bare root or if it's
been exposed to strong sun.

Lay off the water until the top inch or two is dry, place the pot in
filtered shade, and hope for the best.

(dkra) wrote:

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A week ago I transplanted a tomato plant (Hungarian Italian, about 7 weeks
old) into a 7-gal. pot with fresh potting soil. The plant was healthy and
vigorous when it went in. Now it's drooping, even though I've watered it
generously. The plants in adjoining pots (planted at the same time and
under the same conditions) seem to be doing just fine. I've checked the
stem of the plant and it doesn't seem to be cut off below ground (I know
some insects and grubs can do this). Does anyone know what could be the
problem here?

Thanks in advance.

-- dkra

Overwatering could be an issue...

Have the nights been too cool? Most Tomatoes like warmer nights, I'm
thinking 50-55 degrees F at night.

Was the seedling grown indoors? If so, did you harden it before
setting it outside? Indoor seedlings aren't used to wind or direct sun
and need a week or two in indirect sun and sheltered slightly from
wind, like on a porch. Seedlings can become sunburned by the sudden
and prolonged full sunlight.

What plants are you comparing it to in other pots? That might
illustrate the conditions that favor those and not tomatoes. If the
others were greens, brassicas and peas I'd guess that the weather was
cool, since they like cool and tomatoes need the warmth.


DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
3rd year gardener
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/royalfrazier/

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In article ,
wrote:

[wilt in potted tomato plant]

What plants are you comparing it to in other pots? That might
illustrate the conditions that favor those and not tomatoes. If the
others were greens, brassicas and peas I'd guess that the weather was
cool, since they like cool and tomatoes need the warmth.

Tomato plants in other pots (all grown from seed, all hardened off) were
doing fine. This particular plant had rotted roots. Why, I don't know.
The plant sharing its pot (15-gal. container) is settling in and showing
new growth. I dug up the dying plant and confirmed that its roots were
moldy and dead. I wrapped up the plant and threw it out. It's a mystery.
Hope the remaining plant in the pot doesn't succumb.

-- dkra