What's wrong with my Tomato plants?

[ppp]

I've got couple of young tomato plants from bunnings. Planted in ground around 2 to 3 weeks ago with little fertilizer, blood and bone. Applied seasol once a week so far.

Couple of branches are not greenish, looks yellow and I think some bug attack. 

Melbourne weather is not great in the last week or so, to think about sunny.  Any ideas and suggestions please ?

[VegaNano]

Big mistake You NEVER FERTILISE new seedlings,maybe about 8-12 weeks old.You seemed to have 1/2 killed them with Too Much Love,& seasol is very strong- maybe dilute it more-- than instructs says😁

[jemmade]

Hi, 

This is the first year that I've ever planted a veggie garden, and while it's mostly going pretty well, my tomatoes seem to be fading. 

I planted a mini Roma variety which has gone nuts, and 5 of the same bush tomato variety, all purchased from Bunnings. Initially they were doing really well and I've been very diligent with watering, but I got lax on the feeding and haven't fed them for around 6 weeks or so. Over the past week the leaves on all 6 plants are withering and changing colour. The Roma has been producing a lot and still is, but the others haven't produced a huge amount. 

Could this be a deficiency of some kind, maybe magnesium? I put Seasol on them a few days ago but I'm guessing I need to use something else? Or is it too late?  I have 6 other cherry tomato plants that popped up on their own nearby that don't seem to be having the same issue.                                                               

[EricL]

Hello @jemmade 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your tomatoes. 

It sounds like your tomatoes are experiencing some nutrient deficiencies and possibly stress from inconsistent feeding, but don’t worry—it’s likely not too late to help them bounce back! Since your mini-Roma and bush tomato plants are showing signs of withering and discoloured leaves, they probably need a good boost of nutrients, especially considering the heavy fruiting of the Roma variety.

To address this, start by feeding your plants with a well-balanced fertilizer specifically for tomatoes and vegetables, like PowerFeed Tomato & Vegetable Liquid Fertiliser, available at the store. This product contains the essential nutrients your plants need, including nitrogen for leaf health, phosphorus for root and fruit development, and potassium for overall plant vigour. Apply it according to the instructions, ensuring you water it in well.

For the potential magnesium deficiency, you mentioned (often visible as yellowing between the veins of older leaves), you can supplement with Epsom salts. Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salts in a watering can and apply it to the base of your plants. Alternatively, products like Yates Thrive Tomato & Veggie Natural Booster may also contain trace elements like magnesium and can be applied to cover all nutrient bases.

It’s also worth checking your watering practices. While you’ve been diligent, overwatering can sometimes cause root stress, leading to similar symptoms. Ensure the soil is moist but not soggy and avoid wetting the foliage, especially in humid weather, to prevent fungal issues. Mulching with sugarcane mulch or pea straw, which you can find at Bunnings, will help regulate soil moisture and reduce stress on your plants.

Your cherry tomatoes nearby are likely thriving because they’re more resilient and may have tapped into nutrient-rich soil. With regular feeding and care, your bush tomatoes should recover, and you can continue enjoying a productive veggie garden. 

Keep up the great work, and don’t forget to feed every two to four weeks during the growing season for consistent results!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric