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Tomato plants are poorly

TriciaBTriciaB Posts: 37
in Fruit & veg
This year I have a problem with my tomato plants. I grow them from seed and plant them in large pots in the greenhouse, using compost from grow bags. This year they were growing well until suddenly the top leaves shrivelled up and the plants started growing very leggy. They had only just got the stage where they would need feeding (first truss), and I don't think it was lack of water because the lower leaves were still normal. I couldn't see any kind of infestation. Strangely enough I have noticed that the side shoots, when I come to remove them, have also curled up. I have replaced some of the plants with a different variety and these are doing well at the moment. I am wondering if the compost is faulty, and, if so, whether anyone else has had similar problems. I have been following the same routine for growing tomatoes for many years, and have never had any problems before. Any comments or help will be appreciated.

Posts

  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    Yes it could be the compost - I hope it isn't - and there isn't a way to be completely sure, but my fear is this could be aminopryalid herbicide contamination.
    If you Google Charles Dowding his YouTube channel has more detail. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There's been a couple of people reporting odd damage on tomato foliage this year, and it would appear there's a problem with some compost. 

    They need a lot of ventilation in greenhouses though, and it can sometimes be that, although they recover very quickly if it is.  It doesn't really look like that though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TriciaBTriciaB Posts: 37
    Chris-P-Bacon your information has suggested a solution! I looked at the video and some other information which Google listed. Unfortunately it seems that the commercial compost we bought was probably contaminated. I am going to contact the firm which produces it to send them the photo and some others. I am hoping that the replacement plants I put in will be ok. Perhaps only a couple of the bags were affected. I hope the tomatoes which have managed to grow will be safe to eat!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I always grow from seed and thought I’d try a different this year,  Koralik,  the leaves were like that, I think it’s leaf Gall. I threw them all away. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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