Knowledgebase

Blotchy tomatoes #832743

Asked May 30, 2023, 2:34 PM EDT

This question is for my mother that does live in Northern Minnesota but has no clue how to use a computer. Please see the attached photo. She has been having issues with her tomato plants the past few years with the leaves getting wilted and funky. This photo is the first time the fruit has been affected. Do you guys have any suggestions as to what this might be and how to fix/treat it? Thank you!

Itasca County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi,

Wow, that is bizarre, I've never seen anything like that.

Here are some links to check out;

https://www.recordnet.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2021/08/26/seeing-spots-your-tomatoes-tips-deal-common-garden-pests/<personal data hidden>/

https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1136

I think stink bugs are her problem;

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/brown-marmorated-stink-bug

Clear out all weeds around the garden in the fall to try and minimize breeding grounds. Try looking for their eggs and dropping them in soapy water. She might even want to experiment with covering the plants with a tight netting. I hope this helps.

Sally Granath, MG St. Louis County

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 30, 2023, 9:43 PM EDT
HI Sally, 

Thank you so much! We are going to try your suggestions as well as a few other things we found on the web. I talked to mom last night to pass along your information and she asked if there is something than she can or should do to the actual soil in the garden?

Thank you, 
Peggy


On Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 06:43:15 PM PDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 2:58 PM EDT

Hi, 

I don't think the soil has any thing to do with it. Clearing out ALL weeds around the garden should help. Here's another article that provides some helpful info . ;

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74169.html#:~:text=For%20large%20populations%2C%20a%20variety,prevent%20feeding%20by%20stink%20bugs.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 01, 2023, 9:57 PM EDT
Very good. Thank you again!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 1, 2023, at 6:57 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 11:24 PM EDT

Loading ...