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Tomatoes

GardennanGardennan Posts: 10
in Fruit & veg
my tomatoe plants are not growing and gradually turning grey. Anyone know what is wrong? They were planted in peat free compost and bought at different times yet all seem to be succumbing. One has brown spots on the leaves. 
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A photo -yes @Gardennan .  :)
    How and where are you growing them? Ground? Pots? Outdoor/indoor?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardennanGardennan Posts: 10

  • GardennanGardennan Posts: 10
    Thank you for your replies. It’s a south facing position in a sheltered walled garden. Never had probs before, never used peat free before but used a good tomatoe compost.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Your plants show all the indications that they're too cold.
    Tomatoes need a minimum average night temperature of at last 12c.
    As the nights are now warming up your plants should recover
    I can see no sign of any disease - the grey/blueish tinge to the leaves indicates they're too cold

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree - it's quite normal for them to look like that when they're cold, or even if they're inside but get a draught from an open window or door. 
    The peat free composts are certainly very variable in terms of friability and water retention, but if the plants are warm enough, the toms should manage.
    Mine have been quite poor compared to normal, even when they've been growing indoors, and now in the greenhouse, but the bit of stress is pushing them into flowering, which is what you want anyway!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardennanGardennan Posts: 10
    Thank you Pete and That’s very helpful. Here’s hoping
  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    Well, @Pete.8 ... your knowledge never ceases to amaze me ... I would never have known about the grey leaves meaning 'too cold'! What we need on the forum is a 'Tomato Doctor' ... as a permanent feature at the top. There seems to be so many problems, signs and symptoms that all you experienced and knowledgeable gardeners know about!
    Grey leaves, curling leaves, spotty leaves, blossom end rot, leaf roll, fruit split ... are there any more?! 😂
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Transplant shock, Sooty mould. @ShepherdsBarn 😁
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I'm humbled @ShepherdsBarn thank you :)

    I used to help my Mum with tomatoes in the family greenhouse which was built in 1963.
    Mum worked in tomato houses when she was evacuated during WW2, which she much preferred to picking spuds during the winter in Forfar, Scotland when she was sent to work there where the workers used the inside of the horses thighs to warm their hands.
    So I've accumulated the best part of 60 years experience with tomato growing and I'm more than happy to offer suggestions that may help others based on my experiences


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    @Pete.8 is good with cucumbers too @ShepherdsBarn 😁 I've picked 5 mini ones to date, but I bet you have picked much more than that Pete.😁
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