Tomatoes - curling leaves/staking/caging
Posted by: kmat <kmat@...>
From: <Goatsnsoaps@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [HomeSteadHeaven] How does your garden grow?
> In a message dated 7/16/2001 12:09:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> kmat@pinenet.com writes:
>
> << Or have/had the same thing, and what do you do
> with your plants? >>
> Yes! I have this too, only on the beef steak tomato plants though, the
> other varieties are fine. Will it hurt the production of the tomatoes?
>
> Jodi
Hello,
I hope you don't mind that I'm about a week behind in answering!
(I've been busy with more company and summer activities!)
I've been reading up on tomatoes and this is what I found in a pamphlet
a friend just brought me this past weekend.
Curling of leaves. Curling or "leaf roll" is very common, but it does not
harm
production. It's often most noticeable when the plants are about a foot
tall. As the vines
become bushy, the new leaves tend to hide the older leaves which may be
curled. Too much
pruning may promote curling, too.
Well, my plants are almost all just over the top of their cages, and I have
been doing
some pruning (not a lot), but trying to keep them somewhat manageable.
I also have been reading about staking, caging and trellising vs.
free-growing tomatoes.
>From what I had read before on this "leaf roll"
"What causes tomato leaves to roll up?
Physiolocial leaf roll is most common on trained and pruned tomatoes.
Symptoms are most prominent on leaves near the plant's base."
so, I'm wondering if I would have this problem if I didn't use cages? or
didn't prune??
But, I know this would take a lot more space. Maybe I'll have to try a
plant or two
free growing next year, even if just out of curiosity.
Just curious, how many of you tomato growers use cages/stakes/trellising and
how
many let them grow free?.
Kathy B wrote:
For tomatoes I start with disease resistant plants such as VFN hybrid from
Burpee (or Better Boy). I have had really good luck with the resistant
types. And the foliage protection is wonderful. We take cement reinforcing
wire (6 inch mesh) and make cages that are taller than I am. The plants
come out the top, so they must be at least 7 feet tall. They are very easy
to pick too! Hope this helps.
Kathy, your plants sound wonderful! Thank you for the tip, I will
definitely be trying different types next year.
This past weekend we had our first cherry tomato ripen, I shared it with my
hubby! Our mouths are watering
for more! I just love garden fresh tomatoes!
All of my plants have this "leaf roll", but the tomatoes are fine, the
plants just don't look so great
starting at the base, and now working its way upward.
Pam in MN