Can anyone tell me what’s killing my plants?

anabri · June 15, 2018

The lower leaves on a few of my tomato plants have started to roll and the plants are looking unhappy. The undersides of the leaves have shiny goldish-brown patches. I’m wondering if anyone can diagnose the issue. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge.

Antipodean · June 16, 2018

Spider mites I think. Get a white piece of paper, hold it under a leaf and shake it. If it's spider mites you will see little specks on the paper and they will start to move about.

ContainerTed · June 16, 2018

I add a vote for spider mites. I had them back in 2009. That's when I started using "Garden Safe" which contains a mitacide. It is also a fungicide and an insecticide. And, best of all, it is considered "organic". I do preventative sprayings with it and have not seen spider mites again. It also controls hornworms and cut worms. If you decide to use it, I recommend preventative applications to the bottoms of the foliage about every two weeks.

clkeiper · June 16, 2018

I don't see tell tale webs on the veins. I would want to see more pictures of the rest of the plant and the leaf apexes.

jillian · June 16, 2018

I think definitely mites, perhaps tomato russet mites. You won't always see the webbing. That looks pretty advanced so take action now, it might already be too late. If it were me I would use pure unrefined need oil at 2 tbsp. Per gallon with a tbsp. Dawn dish soap. Good luck!

zipcode · June 16, 2018

Take a magnifier and take a look. I mean, if it's difficult for you to see it, it will be even harder for us to see it in a picture.
My first impression was thrips maybe. It's unlikely to be spider mites. They don't really like those old leathery leaves, sometimes the whole plant can be eaten and those are still fine.

jillian · June 16, 2018

http://www.amgrow.com.au/problem/tomato-mite/

Do yours resemble these? I had them one year and they were too far gone by the time I finally diagnosed correctly.

b54red · June 16, 2018

It could definitely be spider mites but it could also possibly be a bad case of flea beetles. Some of my leaves got to looking like that this year when the flea beetles got really bad.
If it is spider mites you need to start fighting them as soon as possible. I recommend a mix of Permethrin, Dawn, and food grade diatomaceous earth sprayed on all parts of the plant, especially the undersides of the leaves.

Bill

June 16, 2018	#3
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	I add a vote for spider mites. I had them back in 2009. That's when I started using "Garden Safe" which contains a mitacide. It is also a fungicide and an insecticide. And, best of all, it is considered "organic". I do preventative sprayings with it and have not seen spider mites again. It also controls hornworms and cut worms. If you decide to use it, I recommend preventative applications to the bottoms of the foliage about every two weeks. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

June 16, 2018	#4
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I don't see tell tale webs on the veins. I would want to see more pictures of the rest of the plant and the leaf apexes. __________________ carolyn k

June 16, 2018	#2
Antipodean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Perth Posts: 46	Spider mites I think. Get a white piece of paper, hold it under a leaf and shake it. If it's spider mites you will see little specks on the paper and they will start to move about.

June 16, 2018	#5
jillian Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 880	I think definitely mites, perhaps tomato russet mites. You won't always see the webbing. That looks pretty advanced so take action now, it might already be too late. If it were me I would use pure unrefined need oil at 2 tbsp. Per gallon with a tbsp. Dawn dish soap. Good luck!

June 16, 2018	#6
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Take a magnifier and take a look. I mean, if it's difficult for you to see it, it will be even harder for us to see it in a picture. My first impression was thrips maybe. It's unlikely to be spider mites. They don't really like those old leathery leaves, sometimes the whole plant can be eaten and those are still fine.

June 16, 2018	#8
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	It could definitely be spider mites but it could also possibly be a bad case of flea beetles. Some of my leaves got to looking like that this year when the flea beetles got really bad. If it is spider mites you need to start fighting them as soon as possible. I recommend a mix of Permethrin, Dawn, and food grade diatomaceous earth sprayed on all parts of the plant, especially the undersides of the leaves. Bill