early blight I think

Laurel7286 · July 24, 2006

Wow, is this ever running through all my tomatoes. I'm pretty sure I've identified it correctly--starts at the bottom and works its way up the plant. Leaves only begin with tiny brown spots, then rapidly the entire stem yellows & dies. This is not affecting the existing fruit directly, but of course is lowering the yield.

Hard to tell about new fruit as this heat spell has caused blossom drop. Plants are in raised beds with soaker hose under red plastic mulch. Some varieties are still vigorous--the Black Cherry is over 6'. Some are pretty sad--the Lemon Boy looks like it would rather just die and get it over with.

I have stripped all the diseased leaves (talk about naked!) and have sprayed with baking soda (cornell fml) which seemed to slow it down some but not much.

The harvestable fruit are delicious, but I'd really like to save these plants for the rest of the season. Grateful for any help,
Laurel

July 24, 2006	#1
Laurel7286 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: near Baltimore MD Z7 Posts: 4	early blight I think Wow, is this ever running through all my tomatoes. I'm pretty sure I've identified it correctly--starts at the bottom and works its way up the plant. Leaves only begin with tiny brown spots, then rapidly the entire stem yellows & dies. This is not affecting the existing fruit directly, but of course is lowering the yield. Hard to tell about new fruit as this heat spell has caused blossom drop. Plants are in raised beds with soaker hose under red plastic mulch. Some varieties are still vigorous--the Black Cherry is over 6'. Some are pretty sad--the Lemon Boy looks like it would rather just die and get it over with. I have stripped all the diseased leaves (talk about naked!) and have sprayed with baking soda (cornell fml) which seemed to slow it down some but not much. The harvestable fruit are delicious, but I'd really like to save these plants for the rest of the season. Grateful for any help, Laurel