Knowledgebase
home tomato seedlings dying a 2nd year #866937
Asked May 03, 2024, 4:32 PM EDT
Addison County Vermont
Expert Response
Almost all tomato seedlings are now far along the path to death.
I see tiny white dots now, eggs I assume, but still don't see creatures & there are so few eggs compared to the huge damage.
I am sorry to hear that all of your plants have died. We cannot tell from your photos what has caused them to all die. I shared your photos and info. with the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, and following is a list of issues we spoke about:
-Possibly Damping Off - https://extension.umn.edu/solve-problem/how-prevent-seedling-damping
-Fertilized too early? How big were the plants when you fertilized them?
-Over fertilized?
-Over watering? Allow plants to dry out in between watering.
-What type of soil did you use? Regular potting mix should be sufficient enough.
-Where are the seeds from? Did you use the same seeds as last year?
-Did you clean out growing trays with a bleach/water solution after last years growing prior to planting this year? 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
The clinic recommends sending in a sample, providing at least 3 plants (the whole plants, and any that might still have green growth on them) so we can take a look at the roots and inside the stems. Here is a link to information on how to do that:
Please submit your specimen by filling out this Plant Specimen Submission Form.
If you decide you do not wish to send in specimens, there is still time to start over, but we recommend following some of the recommended procedures above.
Here are some additional resources for you to review:
https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Master-Gardener/Growing_Seedlings_Under_lights.pdf
Scroll down to Tomatoes - https://www.vegetables.cornell.edu/pest-management/disease-factsheets/
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you. What is the latest that it would work for me to drop off specimens today? -Clove
Hello Clove,
Sorry we missed your latest note. Hopefully you were able to connect with someone in the lab last week. If not, we are in office this week on Wednesday from 8:30 to 4:30, Thursday 8:30 to 5:30, and Friday, 8:30 to 4:30.
Thank you. I would like to drop off specimens today & am not sure that I will be able to find you from the street address. Can you give me directions from a legal parking place?
With me dropping them off, it is better to keep them in their 2x2" pots?
Does it make sense for me to stay to watch you examine the plants? I do love to learn. I have a BS in herbal sciences.
Clove Haviva
<personal data hidden>
On 5/7/2024 3:41 PM, Extension Foundation wrote:
Sent from my iPhone
On May 15, 2024, at 10:40 AM, Clove Haviva <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you. I would like to drop off specimens today & am not sure that I will be able to find you from the street address. Can you give me directions from a legal parking place?
With me dropping them off, it is better to keep them in their 2x2" pots?
Does it make sense for me to stay to watch you examine the plants? I do love to learn. I have a BS in herbal sciences.
Clove Haviva
<personal data hidden>
On 5/7/2024 3:41 PM, Extension Foundation wrote:
I am bringing samples in today, can't print at home, so I am attaching your form, filled.
These are my thoughts to your questions below:
Not damping off, the seedlings were too big.
Not fertilized too early. Not overfertilized last year, when I had the same problem.
Not overwatered before this problem. (Outside most days after they looked terrible, in rain, yes overwatered.)
Same soil I have had success with many times.
Fedco seeds, good.
I clean with soap & water. I don't like using bleach. Should I use peroxide?
Thank you!
Clove Haviva
Lisa, thank you so much.
I just sang this song on Ann's voice mail. Maybe she will share it with you & Giovanna, who I told I had written a song with methylene blue in it.
Will you share the words with Giovanna?
The song I recycled is Down by the Riverside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr_GBa8qk
(c) 2007 Clove Haviva
I'm gonna grow some Staph. aureus,
down in the micro lab.
Koch postulates
that I'll B. cereus.
I will grow Streptococcus, too.
Wouldn't you
stain it methylene blue.
I'll B. subtilis
and acid-fast
streaking plates with MR-VP.
He autoclave
if he Ames to save
the broth that's hypertonic.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed my time in your lab.
Clove
