heirloom tomato plant under grow lights is getting dry, crinkled leaves - Ask Extension
I am asking on behalf of a neighbor. He grew this tomato plant from seeds he saved from an heirloom tomato that tasted great. The plant has grown and ...
Knowledgebase
heirloom tomato plant under grow lights is getting dry, crinkled leaves #781251
Asked February 03, 2022, 8:21 PM EST
I am asking on behalf of a neighbor. He grew this tomato plant from seeds he saved from an heirloom tomato that tasted great. The plant has grown and produced one tomato so far. However, many of the leaves are getting dry and crinkly and he has no idea why. Can you help?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We think that the browning leaves are likely from the stress of trying to grow in this un-natural situation, indoors and under lights.
Tomatoes are a warm season crop and most heirloom tomatoes are vining plants which grow and sprawl until frost kills them and so need plenty of space, sun, soil, water and nutrients that can't be done well indoors.
Your neighbor can pull off dead leaves and keep trying, or they may be able to prune or pinch some cuttings off of this plant and pot them up if this vine continues to decline.
Better yet though: Do they still have some seeds? It's still too early to plant for the upcoming growing season, but starting them indoors under lights is recommended starting 6 weeks before last frost.
Here is our page on planting dates for vegetables in Maryland:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vegetable-planting-calendar
and
Here is our page on Tomatoes:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tomatoes
Christine
Tomatoes are a warm season crop and most heirloom tomatoes are vining plants which grow and sprawl until frost kills them and so need plenty of space, sun, soil, water and nutrients that can't be done well indoors.
Your neighbor can pull off dead leaves and keep trying, or they may be able to prune or pinch some cuttings off of this plant and pot them up if this vine continues to decline.
Better yet though: Do they still have some seeds? It's still too early to plant for the upcoming growing season, but starting them indoors under lights is recommended starting 6 weeks before last frost.
Here is our page on planting dates for vegetables in Maryland:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vegetable-planting-calendar
and
Here is our page on Tomatoes:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tomatoes
Christine
Thank you for your response and suggestions, Christine. My neighbor had told me he has grown tomatoes under grow lights every winter for years and has not had this problem before. I probably should have mentioned that when I wrote to you originally. But I’ll forward your response to him, and he can follow up with you himself if he’d like. Appreciate your help! Best, Robin
You're welcome.
