Suspected Bacterial Wilt in Tomato Plants - Ask Extension
I have three of eight tomato plants that are in different stages of wilting and then eventually dying. I have not been able to definitively identify t...
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Suspected Bacterial Wilt in Tomato Plants #880335
Asked August 05, 2024, 9:39 PM EDT
I have three of eight tomato plants that are in different stages of wilting and then eventually dying. I have not been able to definitively identify the cause but suspect bacterial wilt.
Could you please instruct me as how to identify the exact cause?
Attaching photos of the plants.
Thank you for your time.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Dear Christopher,
Thank you for contacting us with your question regarding your tomato plants. This year has been a difficult year for tomatoes due to the hot weather. Water early in the day and only when the soil is dry to the touch.
The following article gives some general care instructions for tomatoes.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-tomatoes-containers
The next two articles provide information of disease of tomatoes. If you suspect bacterial wilt, there is a simple diagnostic test described in the first article.
https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-problem/fact-sheets/bac-wilt-tomato.html
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/recognizing-tomato-problems-2-949/
If you would like additional help, you may wish to submit your plant (wilting, not dead) to the Plant Clinic located on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
In the future, you should not reuse this potting soil to grow tomatoes, peppers or potatoes. You may also want to consider growing resistance varieties.
https://www.vegetables.cornell.edu/pest-management/disease-factsheets/disease-resistant-vegetable-varieties/disease-resistant-tomato-varieties/
Regards,
Cindy G.
Colorado Master Gardener
Thank you for contacting us with your question regarding your tomato plants. This year has been a difficult year for tomatoes due to the hot weather. Water early in the day and only when the soil is dry to the touch.
The following article gives some general care instructions for tomatoes.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-tomatoes-containers
The next two articles provide information of disease of tomatoes. If you suspect bacterial wilt, there is a simple diagnostic test described in the first article.
https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-problem/fact-sheets/bac-wilt-tomato.html
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/recognizing-tomato-problems-2-949/
If you would like additional help, you may wish to submit your plant (wilting, not dead) to the Plant Clinic located on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
In the future, you should not reuse this potting soil to grow tomatoes, peppers or potatoes. You may also want to consider growing resistance varieties.
https://www.vegetables.cornell.edu/pest-management/disease-factsheets/disease-resistant-vegetable-varieties/disease-resistant-tomato-varieties/
Regards,
Cindy G.
Colorado Master Gardener
