Three of 6 tomato plants are starting to wilt, even though we water every day, what is happening to them?

Answer 1

There are 3 different types of diseases that display the syptoms you're describing; Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt and Bacterial Wilt.

To the average gardener all three are difficult to differentiate and control. There's also another form of wilt that is caused by a toxin emitted by the roots of walnut trees -- so if you have them planted near or under one of them, you might want to consider moving your tomatoes to another location.

The two kinds of wilt caused by fungi are called; Fusarium and Verticillium. You're probably seeing wilting of your tomatoes during the hottest time of the day. This is because the tissue within the plant that carries the water to the upper portion of the leaves become restricted.

The other symptoms of both diseases will have the plants appearing to be stunted or the lower leaves might turn yellow and die or one side of the plant having discolored leaves while the other side appears to be normal.

The other form of wilting is caused by a bacteria and it's called; Bacterial Wilt. Tomatoes attacked by this one will usually exhibit a sudden wilting and then die.

Unfortunately, these diseases remain in the soil for many years even though you may not have tomatoes there. There are very few chemicals available to you that will control these diseases.

The best way to prevent some of these problems is to always buy tomatoes that have "VFN" on their labels. I was told that that letters mean they are resistant to "Verticillium, Fusarium and Nematodes".

The best thing for you is to take your infected plants into your local farm advisor's office (that is, if you have one nearby). You'll have to place your plant with the roots intact, into a plastic bag) so that they can determine what kind of disease caused it to die.

In the future, you might want to consider using large pots or raised benches to grow your tomatoes in clean soil.

Sorry I don't have any clear answers for you but hope this information was of some help. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

More than likely , it is a tomato wilt virus, especially if you plant your tomatoes in the same place year after year ... I fit is , there is nothing you can do, they will simply wilt and die... If they do , pull them up , and burn or throw them away, DONOT compost them. next year , look for plants ., or seeds ( if you do the start from seed thing ) that are resistant to Tomato wilt ... Sterilize any tools that you used on this years crop ( soak in bleach ) and plan on planting tomatoes in another area , if possible . They reaaly do need a lot of sun, the more the better ... Try that new red plastic mulch on them, it works WONDERS !! Holds in moisture, stops weeds, helps warm the soil, and for some reason, the red color of the plastic reaaly makes the tomatoes take off ... good luck ...

Answer 3

Do not water tomato plants every day. If they are in the sun ALL day, every 2-3 days is good. If they get shade part of the day, every 3-4 days is good. Tomato plants will naturally wilt in the late afternoon. Go out and check them in the morning. I bet they will be more perky then!

Answer 4

Don't plant tomato plants in the sun. They need a shady place where they get a little passing sunshine. Leaking hoses that leak a little water all the time help tomato plants. Support "crutches" that hold up weak young plants are helpful..

Answer 5

if you have them directly in the sun all day they will wilt. they need to have a veriation of direct sunlight and shade throughout the day. also something could be attacking the roots. do not over water either. there are some handy gardening tips in this article

Answer 6

Tomatoes don't withstand summer heat well. That's
why they grow (in Florida ) in the spring and the
fall. Our 6 plants died also when it got hot. They
need to be started about 4 months before hot
weather.

Answer 7

They could have a fungal disease, blight or fusarium. Use a fungicide powder, or if you are going organic, pick off the affected leaves. Also, you must avoid getting the leaves wet, just water at the base.

Answer 8

Try letting the plants dry out for a week.

Here's a good site to help:

http://msucares.com/newsletters/pests/infobytes/19970814.htm

Answer 9

Maybe you are wattering it a little to much and they are rotting. Or maybe the plant is getting to much heat from the sun rays.

Answer 10

they may be in to much heat...try a shady area