Hello
Recently the lower leaves on my tomato plants have began to curl upwards, and in some, lower leaves have began to discolour and die.
I've found lots of conflicting information on possible causes. I was worried that maybe I'd been over watering, but the soil doesn't feel overly wet, and a moisture metre reads dry when I come to water.
I fertilise every 1-2 weeks, and apply a seaweed solution occasionally (maybe not as often as I should).
I'm in southern Victoria, Australia and we have had a reasonably warm summer. There's been multiple 30°C+ days lately, but usually not consecutively. Otherwise it's around 25ish. The plants get 8-9 hours full sun.
Any suggestions on what the cause could be?
by plantsbikescoffee
7 Comments
That sort of curling is usually a normal physiological response to a minor stress that the plant has recently had. Could be as subtle a stressor as a hot day. In general, I don’t worry about changes like that; they tend to correct on their own. Your plants look overall healthy (judging from these photos.)
Edited to add: One thing to be aware of is that fabric grow bags sitting on a reflective surface such as gravel can dry out really fast. Watering needs to be deep. I soak mine thoroughly, wait a couple minutes, return and soak them thoroughly again. One fast watering can create “channels” inside the pot that allow water to just pass through without actually wetting all the roots.
You can’t really overwater a tomato in a growbag, and moisture meters are notoriously inaccurate. The leaves are likely curling from heat and drought stress. It could also be from salinity build-up if you are not watering enough.
You might want to consider increasing your watering and doing it in a consistent manner. One thing to note is once the leaves curl, they usually don’t completely unfurl so don’t worry if thst doesn’t happen.
How are you fertilizing them with all that straw?
Mine is doing the same thing here in Australia. We just had a 37c day where I am. Seems to be from heat stress. I think once they curl they don’t uncurl though.
I have heard that they do this when they have received too much sun as a way to protect themselves. I have absolutely no idea if that’s true, but it’s hot as frick in Perth and mine are doing it.
Idk if it’s a good idea but when they look hot and sad like this I sometimes give them an extra water, try and cool the soil and the roots off a bit.
Do you always use it? I feel like it’s an impediment.
The color looks great and they seem to be setting fruit well.
We’ll have to wait & see. Definitely remove yellowing leaves. What are u using to keep bugs away?