It's marvellous to grow your own vegetables but tomato diseases and pests can make growing them frustrating. In general, good soil, careful watering and freedom from frost should ensure a decent crop. However, if you do spot signs of disease or pests on your tomato plants, take action quickly.
Blossom End Rot - apply additional calcium and make sure watering is consistent and deep. A mulch will help the soil retain its moisture. Remove diseased tomatoes from the plant.
Tomato Hornworms - remove from the plants by hand and submerge in soapy water, which will kill them. You can use insecticides specific to caterpillars, but read the instructions carefully before applying.
Aphids (greenfly) can be discouraged by planting marigolds nearby or encouraging ants and ladybirds, both of which eat aphids. Failing that, a spray of soapy water will discourage these tomato pests or if you must, a commercial pesticide specific to aphids.
Early Blight can be controlled by the destruction of affected plants and a spray of copper/sulphur.
Late Blight can be prevented with a copper spray but is difficult to cure.
Septoria Leaf Spot can be stopped from spreading with the use of a copper spray.
Southern Blight can be prevented by rotating crops and also with the application of calcium or fertilizers containing ammonium.
Grey Leaf Spot and Verticillium Wilt have no cure.
In all cases, the removal and destruction of infected foliage or whole plants as well as any leaves or fruit which have fallen on the ground is essential to ensure that the tomato disease does not spread.
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Published 02-08-2009
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