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Yellow leaves on tomato plant #873477

Asked June 17, 2024, 3:20 PM EDT

The leaves on 2 of my tomato plants are yellowing from the bottom up. I have not been overwatering them. What could cause this? Is it a fungus?

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Jenny, thanks for the question.  

Ruling out the water issue, this could be a nutrient issue.  Inadequate light could be another possibility. Looking at the necrotic spots on the leaves, they do not appear to be a disease but shouldn't be ruled out. Yellowed leaves should be removed. How have you been feeding them and with what? What kind of growing media did you use  Does the container drain well? Do the upper leaves seem to be more of a pale green? How many hours of full sun does the plant get?

I look forward to your response.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 17, 2024, 5:37 PM EDT
The tomato plant is in a black fabric pot.  I have fed the plant with Organic Tomato-tone 3-4-6.  I have applied it a couple times since transplanting the plant in May.  I trimmed off the yellow leaves.  It gets full sun on our southern exposure deck.

Thanks,

Jenny

On Jun 17, 2024, at 5:37 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 10:17 AM EDT

Hi Jenny,

Not sure what you are using as your potting medium, but some can hold a lot of water leading to the plant roots no oxygen leading to root rot.  A more likely scenario would be a lack of nitrogen.  If your container drains quickly, nitrogen can flush out of the soil.  Check out the following link:

Why are my tomato leaves turning yellow? - AgriLife Today (tamu.edu)

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 21, 2024, 8:02 AM EDT

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