My bush Goliath tomato pl... - Ask Extension
My bush Goliath tomato plant has something wrong with both the fruit and leaves. The fruit is indented and brown on the lower half of the fruit only. ...
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My bush Goliath tomato pl... #256763
Asked June 24, 2015, 1:48 PM EDT
My bush Goliath tomato plant has something wrong with both the fruit and leaves. The fruit is indented and brown on the lower half of the fruit only. The leaves are yellowing and curling. Is there anything I can do to save the plant this year? It still has blossoms and unaffected fruit. I can send more pictures if needed.
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
The tomato you picture has rotted spots all around the fruit, not just on the bottom. It doesn't seem to match anything except cold damage. It is possible there was damage from our cold evenings several weeks ago.n The leaves could also be exhibiting signs of cold damage but it also could be an early blight. Lower leaves should be removed in any case. You should not have them touching the soil. Soil contains fungus which can be transferred when it splashes up onto the leaves. You can check available information at this site: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/tomato/index.html
Thank you for your help. The angle of the picture makes it appear that the leaves are toughing the ground, but in reality they are not. However with the rain we have had, they still could have been splashed. I will remove the lower leaves, but I was wondering if all the affected fruit should be removed also.
Yes, remove the blemished fruit. It will only get worse, not better.