Need help with a problem ID

neeld · June 2, 2011

I have about a dozen types of tomatoes going, one of which is Green Grape. I have three of these plants and all three are showing exactly the same problem. None of the other types of tomatoes are showing anything like this and they are all side by side and getting the same treatment. Except for a minor early blight issue and a late frost, all the other tomatoes are growing like gangbusters. These plants are still growing and even beginning to set fruit.

The soil is a virgin clay loam, amended with rock phosphate several months prior to planting and a small amount of soybean meal in the planting hole.

I'm leaning towards potassium deficiency, but I've never seen it in person and it's curious that it's only showing on one variety in 12+.

EDIT: A few more details

These plants are very compact dense little bushes only about 6 inches high and as big around. I've never grown this variety before so perhaps that's normal for it, but it's unusually short and compact. They whole plant also has a distinct dark olive drab color to it that stands out from the others.

I started these from seed along with all of the rest of the other tomatoes and like I said, all of my green grape look like this and none of the other varieties do despite the fact they have been commingling from the very beginning.

Thanks in advance.

neeld · June 3, 2011

After much self denial, I'm now leaning mosaic virus.

Heritage · June 4, 2011

Yeah, that's a tough call. It does look like what I would expect from TMV but probably isn't because TMV is transmitted mechanically and I would think those plants commingling would also show symptoms. And, if it were TMV, I believe just handling the plants and then handling other plants would transmit the disease. It is also strange that all three of the Green Grape show symptoms but no other varieties look inflicted. But I really don't know. I feel your denial.
I grow Green Grape (the original from Tom) and it is slightly more compact than most of my cherries and the foliage has at times looked wanting for nutrients when others with the same treatment don't. But I've never seen them quite like yours.
If it were me, I would make a basin around the base of each plant and give them a good watering with a full strength soluble fertilizer. Then, if they didn't look better in a week or two I'd pull them.

Disclaimer: I know nothing of tomato viruses

Good Luck, maybe someone who knows something will chime in.
Steve

June 2, 2011	#1
neeld Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 8	Need help with a problem ID I have about a dozen types of tomatoes going, one of which is Green Grape. I have three of these plants and all three are showing exactly the same problem. None of the other types of tomatoes are showing anything like this and they are all side by side and getting the same treatment. Except for a minor early blight issue and a late frost, all the other tomatoes are growing like gangbusters. These plants are still growing and even beginning to set fruit. The soil is a virgin clay loam, amended with rock phosphate several months prior to planting and a small amount of soybean meal in the planting hole. I'm leaning towards potassium deficiency, but I've never seen it in person and it's curious that it's only showing on one variety in 12+. EDIT: A few more details These plants are very compact dense little bushes only about 6 inches high and as big around. I've never grown this variety before so perhaps that's normal for it, but it's unusually short and compact. They whole plant also has a distinct dark olive drab color to it that stands out from the others. I started these from seed along with all of the rest of the other tomatoes and like I said, all of my green grape look like this and none of the other varieties do despite the fact they have been commingling from the very beginning. Thanks in advance. Last edited by neeld; June 2, 2011 at 09:30 PM.

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June 3, 2011	#2
neeld Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 8	After much self denial, I'm now leaning mosaic virus.

June 4, 2011	#3
Heritage Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,255	Yeah, that's a tough call. It does look like what I would expect from TMV but probably isn't because TMV is transmitted mechanically and I would think those plants commingling would also show symptoms. And, if it were TMV, I believe just handling the plants and then handling other plants would transmit the disease. It is also strange that all three of the Green Grape show symptoms but no other varieties look inflicted. But I really don't know. I feel your denial. I grow Green Grape (the original from Tom) and it is slightly more compact than most of my cherries and the foliage has at times looked wanting for nutrients when others with the same treatment don't. But I've never seen them quite like yours. If it were me, I would make a basin around the base of each plant and give them a good watering with a full strength soluble fertilizer. Then, if they didn't look better in a week or two I'd pull them. Disclaimer: I know nothing of tomato viruses Good Luck, maybe someone who knows something will chime in. Steve