My friend had a vegetable garden in Ocean city Md
For the last several years here tomato plants have started to wilt and then die by mid July. When I...
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Tomato demise #874828
Asked June 26, 2024, 3:08 PM EDT
My friend had a vegetable garden in Ocean city Md
For the last several years here tomato plants have started to wilt and then die by mid July. When I visited recently the plants were bushy and healthy. The wilt has started. There is no sign of fungus and she had had a soil test. The stems of the plant become hollow. She has planted determinate as well as indeterminate varieties. Can you help solve this problem?
Howard CountyMaryland
Expert Response
Hi- if there are no brown spots on the leaves, it is possible that a disease in the soil is infecting the plants. Fusarium wilt is common in Maryland and can cause wilting of stems and yellowing of leaves of non-resistant varieties. Infected stems will show a brown discoloration of the tissue directly below the skin (see photo in the link above).
Please send photos of the whole plant and the specific symptoms and we will try to make a more definitive diagnosis. Jon
The plant looks very full and healthy...all of a sudden around this time of year the youngest leaves begin to wilt....it quickly moves down the plant...then starts to dry up and die....this year I purposely selected only the most desease resistant varieties....I've done some homework .....could it be bacterial wilt....
Your friend may be able to plant the suckers from neighborhood tomato plants in containers now for a late crop. The planted suckers need to be watered twice daily until roots get established. Jon
