Tomato blight

monkeynic · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject: Tomato blight

I think my tomatoes have blight, they are outdoors, tumbling tomato variety (decided to make my hanging baskets useful and pretty) They have started to look a bit wilted and some have black edges to some of the leaves. They are watered daily and also have water storage crystals. Can anyone advise me please?

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:16 am Post subject:

this is almost certainly not potato blight on the tomato plants. The blight would not be around the edge of the leaf but at random places on leaf with whitish grey mould underneath. You have probably got marginal leaf scorch caused by too much water at night or early morning and poor ventilation followed by high temperatures.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

monkeynic · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for that Michael, I was really worried I had lost them all just as they start flowering, when is the best time to water them and should I remove lower leaves to help improve circulation?

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:46 am Post subject:

water them when the soil is dry in the top half inch, morning time is best as the movement amongst the plants helps pollination as well. do not remove the lower leaves until they are beginning to wither or turn yellow. The leaves help to swell the fruit and have a big influence on the flavour.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired) .