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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Chrissie on April 16, 2007, 09:24:36

Title: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Chrissie on April 16, 2007, 09:24:36
Hi folks,

I'm growing several types of outdoor tomato on my kitchen windowsill with a foil reflector behind - they're coming on well (about 3 inches tall in 3 inch pots) but I've just noticed the lower leaves are starting to turn yellow.

I know this is a sign of stress but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong! Too hot? Too cold? Too dry? Too wet?

Thanks for any advice...

Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Tee Gee on April 16, 2007, 15:22:01
QuoteI've just noticed the lower leaves

Do you mean the seed leaves or the first pair of 'real' leaves?
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 16, 2007, 16:11:42
If it's the seed leaves, they don't last long, and die as the plant grows.
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Chrissie on April 16, 2007, 16:27:05
Thanks for replies - the seed leaves are the worst but the "real" leaves are definitely looking pale and sickly.  It seemed to happen very suddenly. 

They got a bit hot on the windowsill over the weekend so I gave them a fair amount of water. Could that be the problem? Perhaps I should move them somewhere cooler. Oh for a proper greenhouse...
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Tee Gee on April 16, 2007, 19:12:52
QuoteI gave them a fair amount of water.

How much is fair? :)

Are they saturated?

If they are then this could be the reason.

Ease off on the water! try feeling the weight of the pot now when it is wet then when you think it might need more water check the weight again you should notice an appreciable difference in weight if it has dried out.
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Chrissie on April 17, 2007, 09:08:43
Yes it probably was a bit too much Tee Gee, thanks  :-[. The poor things looked so thirsty.

You learn the hard way...

Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: cleo on April 17, 2007, 17:39:48
try feeling the weight of the pot

Words of wisdom indeed-it doesn`t take long to get a `feel` for it and is a wonderful indicator
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: Chrissie on April 17, 2007, 20:55:49
Will do, thanks.
Title: Re: Help - yellow tomato leaves!
Post by: MrsKP on April 18, 2007, 07:14:30
how about a magnesium deficiency ?   ???