All of my tomato plants die off.?

Question

I live in Southwest Florida and my tomato plants grow like mad and then suddenly turn yellow and die. I know it is some type of disease, but what can I do about it?

Answer 1

It sounds like a blight of some sort. Blights can become present in the ground. Don't plant your tomatoes in the same spot year after year. Also be careful of where you get your tomato plants from. Another thing you can do is see if your plants are disease resistant and have like VFN after the name.

Another thing you can do is not smoke around the tomato plants. Tomatoes can get a disease that occurs in tobacco. And even smoking a cigarrette can transfer the disease. I believe that disease is called the tobacco mosaic virus.

Also don't plant your tomatoes in the same spot you planted potatoes or even peppers the year before. They can all tend to carry the same type of disease, especially potatoes and tomatoes. Try planting something like green beans in the spot next year.

Answer 2

If it is a disease, then it could be caused by Fusarium and Verticillium, which are soil-borne fungi that prevent the plant from taking in nourishment through the damaged vessels... leaves turn yellow and begin shriveling from the ground upward and the plant dies.

"There is no treatment, but vascular wilt diseases can be prevented. The incidence of these diseases has increased with the growing popularity of heirloom, non-resistant, varieties. When choosing seeds or plants for your garden, buy resistant varieties (labeled VFN). Rotate crops. Avoid planting tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers in the same location for 3-4 years. Be sure to remove and destroy all diseased plants."

Sorry for your plant loss. Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

don't know if this pertains to you, but in California, most of mine are past their production limit, depends on the variety...my weather has screwed up most all in my garden this year

Answer 4

You might be able to find your answer here :
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02949.html