Yellow and purple leaves

Lycopersica · October 31, 2012

After watching the autumn leaves change outside, it seems my windowsill tomatoes decided to join in! Seriously though, is this a nutrient deficiency (nitrogen and/or phosphorus?) or some sort of disease? If it's a nutrient deficiency from being root-bound is there anything I can do aside from re-potting the plants? They're determinates near the end of fruiting so I'd rather not dig them up now.

RayR · October 31, 2012

Looks like a pretty small pot, I would guess it might be stressed from being root-bound.
What have you been feeding it?

KarenO · November 1, 2012

my guess is mineral deficiency, magnesium and or calcium and iron. I would fertilize well and also add a tsp of epsom salts to it for the magnesium.

Lycopersica · November 1, 2012

I use 'Jobe's fertilizer spikes' and leftover tea leaves. Adding new fertilizer spikes didn't do much, so it would make sense that the mineral deficiency would be something other than N/P/K.

Heritage · November 2, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycopersica

They're determinates near the end of fruiting

Lyco, that could be it... they look like determinate plants that are finished. To be sure, give them a full dose of Miracle Grow soluble fert(1 TBS/gal) - there should be improvement within a week.

Steve

Lycopersica · November 3, 2012

Hmm, I'm already over my gardening budget and I just can't decide whether its worthwhile to buy a different fertilizer. How much would that prolong fruiting? Are there any household alternatives that would provide trace minerals? Maybe more tea leaves?

October 31, 2012	#1
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	Yellow and purple leaves After watching the autumn leaves change outside, it seems my windowsill tomatoes decided to join in! Seriously though, is this a nutrient deficiency (nitrogen and/or phosphorus?) or some sort of disease? If it's a nutrient deficiency from being root-bound is there anything I can do aside from re-potting the plants? They're determinates near the end of fruiting so I'd rather not dig them up now. __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

November 1, 2012	#4
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	I use 'Jobe's fertilizer spikes' and leftover tea leaves. Adding new fertilizer spikes didn't do much, so it would make sense that the mineral deficiency would be something other than N/P/K. __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

November 3, 2012	#6
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	Hmm, I'm already over my gardening budget and I just can't decide whether its worthwhile to buy a different fertilizer. How much would that prolong fruiting? Are there any household alternatives that would provide trace minerals? Maybe more tea leaves? __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

October 31, 2012	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	Looks like a pretty small pot, I would guess it might be stressed from being root-bound. What have you been feeding it?

November 1, 2012	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,925	my guess is mineral deficiency, magnesium and or calcium and iron. I would fertilize well and also add a tsp of epsom salts to it for the magnesium.