What to do if the leaves curl on tomatoes: effective tips
17 June 03:57
Curled leaves on tomatoes are a signal that should not be ignored. It can be a sign of stress, nutrient deficiencies, disease, or even pests. If you don’t react in time, the plant can slow down its growth or stop bearing fruit altogether. In this article, "Komersant Ukrainian" has collected effective tips on how to recognize the cause of leaf curl and what to do to save your tomatoes and preserve the harvest.
- Why leaves curl on tomato seedlings: possible causes
- What to do when leaves curl on tomatoes
A fairly common problem among tomato growers is the curling of the leaves on tomatoes, which can be a harbinger of a number of ailments or indicate problems in caring for the beds. First of all, you should find the cause of this symptom.
Why leaves curl on tomato seedlings: possible causes
If the tops of the tomato beds begin to curl, the following reasons should be considered:
- Excessive or insufficient watering. The most common problem with growing tomatoes is improper watering. If the plant does not have enough water, the leaves of the tops will curl up in order to reduce the rate of evaporation of the liquid. On the other hand, when watered too much, the reason for the curling of tomato leaves is insufficient air circulation in the soil.
- Lack of nutrients or excess fertilizer. Tomato seedlings are quite capricious to soil quality. Insufficient potassium can cause curled leaves and dull spots on tomatoes, while a lack of potassium, in addition to the main symptom, can lead to top rot. Excessive use of fertilizers can also cause curled and lethargic leaves.
- Plant diseases. Bacteriosis, verticillium, or apical rot are also possible causes of leaf curl. The presence of such diseases is also accompanied by symptoms such as yellowing of the stems or leaves of the plant, spots on the tomato fruit, or the beginning of the plant decay process.
- Pest damage. Some pests, such as aphids, can be dangerous to the plant because they suck the sap from the leaves. As a result, they cause the plant to weaken and change the shape of the leaves.
What to do when the leaves curl on tomatoes
The problem of curling leaves can be solved only after determining the probable cause of this phenomenon.
In particular, depending on the cause, there are the following treatment options:
- Watering problems. If there is a lack of moisture, you need to water the tomatoes every 2-3 days, and in extreme heat, the plants can also be shaded. To maintain a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil, you can mulch the soil. In case of excessive moisture, cover the beds with a film with special air holes. It is also advisable to add a little fertilizer, as water can leach nutrients from the soil.
- Insufficient or excessive amount of fertilizer. If leaf curl is caused by a calcium deficiency, the plant needs to be fed with calcium nitrate, diluting 25 g of the substance in 10 liters of water. The resulting solution must be watered each plant. If there is an excess of fertilizer, the plant should be watered abundantly and refrain from further fertilizing with fertilizers.
- The presence of diseases. If a disease is detected, you need to purchase special solutions to combat this type of disease. However, please note that bacteriosis is almost untreatable, so if you diagnose this disease, it is easier to get rid of the plant instead of treating it.
- Pests. In case of pests, you should use biological products, folk remedies or universal insecticides for tomatoes.
Author: Olya Yushko
