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Tomato problem…Fusarium??? #875407

Asked June 30, 2024, 8:36 PM EDT

I have a 250 sqft, raised bed garden in which I have planted numerous herbs, veggies, and 20 tomatoes with great success over the past 20 years. However for the past 2 years the tomatoes have suffered greatly. They grow great for the first 5 weeks, flowering and starting fruit, but then the entire plant wilts and essentially dies. This is just about 75% of the 20 plants. All other veggies and herbs seem to be doing well, although last year I lost the cukes and zucchini to what appeared to be the same problem. I have treated the entire garden 3 times already with Bonide Fung-Onil. I had the soil comprehensively tested this spring and did all necessary additions to bring it up to snuff, but still have the problem. Never had this problem prior to 2023. You should also know that I have a black walnut tree about 20 yds away from the garden, but since the beds are raised, I never really thought this was an issue (and it never was an issue before). My questions are: 1. Do you think this is fusarium wilt? 2. Is there anything I can do this year to save the remaining tomatoes? 3. If it is Fusarium, what can I do, if anything, between now and next year to rid the garden of the problem? Thanks for listening. I appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Delaware County Ohio

Expert Response

Dear John,
You have gone through the entire checklist of remedial steps to take.  But you didn't mention if you rotate the growing site of the tomatoes.  If you haven't, try that next year. Whether it's fusarium or verticillium wilt, those diseases live in the soil and will continue to infect your plants.  In the future, plant only tomatoes that are resistant -- usually indicated by VF after the cultivar name.  And leave them out of your original growing site for two years.

Take a look at this fact sheet from Ohio State Extension on soil borne diseases:  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-3314.  Another fact sheet that is more general is this one: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-1624

Best of luck next year!
Chris T. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied July 07, 2024, 8:54 PM EDT

FYI, just thought  I would let you know that  I am trying “Soil Solarization” as recommended by the University of CA. Hopefully this will kill any fusarium or verticulum disease in my soil.

 

John Gennari

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From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2024 8:55 PM
To: John Gennari
Subject: Re: Tomato problem…Fusarium??? (#0145325)

 

The Question Asker Replied August 30, 2024, 1:49 PM EDT
Hey John,
I hope the solarization works for you.  Maybe don’t go all in with your usual number of plants next year until you’re sure the problem is solved.
If it isn’t, I’ll go back to my initial response that your garden location should change, or at least rotate their locations.
Best of luck.
Chris T. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied August 30, 2024, 8:54 PM EDT
Thanks for responding. I’m hoping that I don’t have to move the location of the garden, but we shall see.
The Question Asker Replied August 30, 2024, 11:48 PM EDT
I’m with you on that, John. So much work! 
Good luck!
Chris T. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied August 31, 2024, 7:38 AM EDT

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