Identifying and treating disease in tomatoes - Ask Extension
Is there any way to treat verticilium in soil? I first had it about three yers ago and identified it (I think) from the book Crockett"s Victory...
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Identifying and treating disease in tomatoes #802475
Asked July 22, 2022, 1:07 PM EDT
Is there any way to treat verticilium in soil? I first had it about three yers ago and identified it (I think) from the book Crockett"s Victory Garden. Until last year it seemed confined to one small area of the plot where I plant tomatoes--this year it seems to be taking all the plants that I planted. Can I control or get rid of it or might I just as well forget about that area? (I rent so the space that I have to plant things is limited to the flower beds beside my garage.)I should also say that I have only limited experience and Crockett to go by and could be wrong about everything I have said except that I know my tomatoes are dying like flies and this year seems extremely bad. Thank you for any help that you can provide. Will McElhaney 6326 Tamworth Court Columbus Ohio 43017 and thanks again.
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello!
Thank you for using the Ask a Master Gardener online service. First of all, to answer your question, verticillium and other soil born diseases are not easily or quickly treated.
For your situation, with limited garden space, consider growing tomatoes in containers (for next year) It just might
be a perfect solution. Click on the link below.
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2020/01/what-best-way-grow-tomatoes-container
The challenge we have to your specific question is to get a positive identification of the problem. It would take a lab test to do that. We always recommend soil testing. The factsheet below covers all aspects of the landscape, but has a section on garden soil you can scroll to. There is also a page that includes labs. A phone call to the lab is recommended if you want to test for soil born diseases, including but not limited to verticillium. There is a cost involved of course.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132
The following factsheets may help answer some of your questions regarding soil born diseases of tomatoes in general.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-3314
Compare the symptoms shown on the above factsheet to the next link: septoria leaf spot, which, in my experience, is a more common tomato disease for the home gardener in central Ohio.
https://u.osu.edu/miller.769/2020/06/20/septoria-leaf-spot-is-here-on-tomatoes/
The factsheet below describes other disease/pests common to tomatoes, which may be useful to you as a novice gardener.
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-05-01-troubles-tomatoes
I know this is a lot of reading material. You can print and file or save and file as future resources.
Last, but not least, your local county OSU Extension office can be an excellent resource and service to you. Go to http://franklin.osu.edu Follow the Ag and Natural Resources links
Learning is part of the fun of gardening, but success is the most fun! Until you know for sure what you and your tomatoes are fighting, I think you will have the most success using containers and patio type (determinate) tomato varieties. It'll be worth it!
Happy Gardening!
Thank you for using the Ask a Master Gardener online service. First of all, to answer your question, verticillium and other soil born diseases are not easily or quickly treated.
For your situation, with limited garden space, consider growing tomatoes in containers (for next year) It just might
be a perfect solution. Click on the link below.
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2020/01/what-best-way-grow-tomatoes-container
The challenge we have to your specific question is to get a positive identification of the problem. It would take a lab test to do that. We always recommend soil testing. The factsheet below covers all aspects of the landscape, but has a section on garden soil you can scroll to. There is also a page that includes labs. A phone call to the lab is recommended if you want to test for soil born diseases, including but not limited to verticillium. There is a cost involved of course.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132
The following factsheets may help answer some of your questions regarding soil born diseases of tomatoes in general.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-3314
Compare the symptoms shown on the above factsheet to the next link: septoria leaf spot, which, in my experience, is a more common tomato disease for the home gardener in central Ohio.
https://u.osu.edu/miller.769/2020/06/20/septoria-leaf-spot-is-here-on-tomatoes/
The factsheet below describes other disease/pests common to tomatoes, which may be useful to you as a novice gardener.
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-05-01-troubles-tomatoes
I know this is a lot of reading material. You can print and file or save and file as future resources.
Last, but not least, your local county OSU Extension office can be an excellent resource and service to you. Go to http://franklin.osu.edu Follow the Ag and Natural Resources links
Learning is part of the fun of gardening, but success is the most fun! Until you know for sure what you and your tomatoes are fighting, I think you will have the most success using containers and patio type (determinate) tomato varieties. It'll be worth it!
Happy Gardening!
