[mariafp]

My tomato plant leaves are turning yellow and curling up. The varieties are "Suttons Tomato F1 Sweet 'n' Neat Seeds - Yellow" and "Suttons Tomato F1 Sweet 'n' Neat Seeds - Cherry Red". I am using John Innes number 2, which is moist, but no wet and weekly, I apply a low nitrogen fertilize. They are in a window which gets light most of the day.

My fist though was the tomato yellow leaf curl virus, but there is no sign of whiteflies. Anyway, I clean them carefully with a solution of baking soda, oil and water. However, they haven't improved anything at all.

I am sorry I know there are lots of treats about this, but only a couple have pictures, and the plants symptoms and conditions were different.

[dormouse]

Maybe it's just the photo but the compost looks very dry. Tomatoes are thirsty plants. If the compost is as bone dry as it looks, dunk the whole pot in a bucket of water to saturate the compost right through. But be sure to let them fully drain afterwards, and not of a dish. How long have tghey been in that compost? If it is less than 6 weeks old then I don;t think you should need to feed them. Think about potting them on too if the roots are showing out the bottom of the pot. And I wouldn't go putting any chemicals on them.
When watering going forward, just sit them in a couple of incles of water for a couple of minutes and let them soak up water from the bottom. Then get used to telling when they need water bu feeling the weight of the pot. Hope it helps.

[mariafp]

I am going to do it with half of them and see if that's the problem. They have been there for 9 weeks and roots aren't showing yet.

[michael brenock]

I think overfeeding is the problem coupled with dry compost. There is a very high salt concentration in the compost. Wash this out by adding water and allowing it to drain off. The plants will survive but they will grow rapidly once temperature and light improve.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[mariafp]

Much appreciated. I will keep you posted on the process.

[sirpsycho]

I was in a garden centre recently and they had some tomato plants they were selling off very cheap - they were exactly like you have above, even a little worse. I couldnt resist them so I bought a few and brought them home. Compost was bone dry. After soaking them they have been thriving since. Hopefully that's all that is wrong with yours!

[Maeve Drogheda]

Hi Mariafp,

I agree with the others the compost is too dry, didn't know about the salt concentration in compost, Michael is always full of useful information.

I had this problem two years ago, I just kept them watered but not over watered. They will be fine.

[mariafp]

After only four days they look much better!
Thank you again!

[yaut]

we want pictures!

[mariafp]

Quite small, but looking healthier!

[dormouse]

Wow that's some transformation!

[mariafp]

I have wee tomatoes!

[Nozebleed]

looking good..those tomatoes are huge compared to mine!!

[dormouse]

Holy moley, are they the same plants in just three weeks? What are you feeding them!? Fantastic

[mariafp]