Tomato problems

[Lisa0825]

This problem popped up over just a few days. I have started spraying with Neem and also an organic pesticide made from flowers. (I forget the name)

I also found 7 tomatoes that were worm eaten over just 2 days :-/ I do not see any insects on the leaves.

[sazemisery]

1. Tomato worm remedy

http://www.garden.org/foodguide/browse/veggie/tomatoes_care/370

Hornworms are many gardeners' least favorite pest. These huge, green caterpillars with a "horn" on their back ends eat both leaves and tomatoes. They work fast, too. Handpicking is the best bet in the home garden because you often discover the pests at harvesttime when it's unwise to spray with chemical insecticides. (The "horn" is fierce-looking, but harmless.) If you prefer to spray, use Bacillus thuringiensis (known as Bt, and available as Dipel or Thuricide), a natural insecticide that requires no waiting between application and harvest. This form of Bt only infects caterpillars. It is most effective if used when the caterpillars are small. Bt can kill the larvae of all species of butterfly or moth, so be sure to use care during application to minimize drift.

The wilting of leaves I see is normal. I have had tomato plants lose most of it's leaves at the bottom and have tons of tomatoes. Yellow pear tomato plants that I grew 3 years ago only had leaves on the upper 1/3 of the plant but had a bumper crop that year.

[Lisa0825]

2. I don't think it was hornworms

They weren't that big and didn't have a horn, but maybe they were juvies. They were about an inch or less long, light green, and about 1/4 inch or less thick. I found 2 of them.

Thanks for the input. I'm glad to know they can still produce with the wilting!

[sazemisery]

3. Makes no difference the type of worm

the BT will keep them under control organically.

[Juneboarder]

7. Another Tomato Bug Problem...

I have noticed these little gnat looking bugs on the underside of my tomato leaves over the last week. I started spraying a mix of 2 drops of dish soap and water on them once a day after the sun sets and it does seem to control the bugs, but not getting rid of them. Can I spray too much of my soapy water on the tomato plant to cause harm, or do you feel I'm pretty safe there? Anyone know of these bugs and the best way to treat, if there's reason to (I guess...) :)

Thank you!! :)

[bvar22]

4. I could be wrong, but.....

...the damage to your plant appears to be fungus/mildew or bacteria.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tomatoproblemsolver/index.html

[Lisa0825]

5. Yeah, I looked at those pics....

but I was having a hard time trying to figure out which one it most looked like. That's why I started spraying the Neem solution.

[bvar22]

6. I did the same (looked at the pictures),

and couldn't find an exact match either. :shrug:

Good luck, and let us know if the neem oil works.