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Is this curly top virus?

itsjamessmartitsjamessmart Posts: 19
in Fruit & veg
Hello all

This is my first year gardening. I’ve been so impressed with how large and healthy my tomatos started, but lately I’m very worried. I’m concerned many of them may have curly top virus. Below are some pictures. Please could anyone help?

Theyre Ailsa Craig tomatos currently in 30cm pots. 



All the best
james 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If you are in UK I doubt it. It is transmitted by the beet  leafhopper insect, mainly in SW USA like Utah and Texas.
     They look fine to me. The new leaves are usually tightly crinkled when they first emerge.

  • itsjamessmartitsjamessmart Posts: 19
    Thank you. Yes I’m in Yorkshire UK :)  

    Further to my curly top woes, there’s lots of tiny black flies or insects of some kind on the plant stems/leaves. How worried should I be about these? I saw advice to spray them with a hose, but as a novice all I have is a watering can and they don’t wash away as easy. Are they a danger to my tomatos?

    Im also planning on removing the new flower shoots as I’m not too convinced they’re big enough to focus on growing tomatos yet. They’re 30-45cm tall at the moment. How big should they be before allowed to grow tomatos?

    thanks again!!
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I let mine produce fruit from the first flowers. Depending on the weather come September I sometimes nip out the top of the plant so that they don't produce any more flowers but concentrate their energies on ripening the fruit that's already formed.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll keep growing taller, as well as producing those flowering shoots now, so don't worry. Don't be tempted to feed until you get trusses of fruits appearing either. As @JennyJ says, nipping out the top of the main stem happens later in order to ripen the fruits already present. Normally when you get to about 6 or 7 trusses in height, but it depends on your climate and conditions for the timing   :)
    The curling leaves are nothing to worry about either. They'll sort themselves out as they grow on. 
    Difficult to determine what the flies are without seeing them. Very few insect cause problems for tomatoes though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • itsjamessmartitsjamessmart Posts: 19
    Thanks for your advice so far. Here are the flies im talking about. I think the second image is clearest:


  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Just wipe the blackfly off with your fingers. They are just aphids.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't identify those @itsjamessmart, but @wild edges might be able to ID them for you, and let you know if there's anything to be concerned about.
    I doubt they're anything to worry about though. If they're outside, and it's warm, there will always be flies around  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The tightly curled tops are likely due to the recent heat we've had - all mine in the g/h have done the same - often happens - they will sort themselves out in a few days.

    No need to worry about the flies, the hairs on the plant will prevent them doing any damage. The flies may get stuck to the hairs, then die, drop to the ground and feed the plant - a little bit :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • itsjamessmartitsjamessmart Posts: 19
    Thanks all, you’ve put my mind at ease  :) 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll be fine @itsjamessmart :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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