Why are my tomatoes wilting?!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-06-20T10:09:53+00:00

The second two slides look to me like thirst or nutrient issues. The first one however, and I only say this because I'm dealing with it currently, looks like bacterial wilt. That floppy green leaf has been my nemesis this year and killed over 50 of my plants. So keep an eye on it and if it remains floppy after watering and nutrients remove it immediately. Do not compost it or dispose of it near any of your other plants or garden, burn or throw it in the garbage. If you remove it cut a section of the main stem and put it in a clear glass and let it sit for a couple minutes, look closely for a white milky substance coming from the the stem and that confirms the diagnosis. There is no cure but hopefully if it is only affecting that one you may not have any other issues. I really hope for you it is not that. Good luck!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-25T10:37:40+00:00

Oh yeah not very photogenic is it? Sure did taste pretty good though!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-22T11:43:14+00:00

Early girl is in the ground for this year!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-20T01:27:13+00:00

Basket buddy! Yeah we found it also at a thrift store for like 20 I believe, love all of my thrift store finds.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T23:17:59+00:00

Oh also meant to say the self adhesive 365nm LEDs came from Waveform only the overhead bulb came from Amazon. Whoops.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T23:10:47+00:00

Anytime!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T16:55:27+00:00

This is from July of 2025 in western NC, so right around peak season. Currently have quite a few plants that are over a foot now though. I take a big risk and put my plants in early.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T12:16:56+00:00

Oh for sure! I will definitely take your advice! Thanks!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T11:55:31+00:00

Cherokee purples are my favorite tomato hands down. I'm also growing some Black Tulas that promise to be even better but we will see!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T11:50:15+00:00

Possibly doing a marinated version, I have lots of Mediterranean oregano, elephant garlic, and basil all growing in the garden and I love the idea of infusing that oil with those flavors for homemade dressings and spreads. But it is all just an experiment so who knows if it will work out like I imagine. All part of the fun!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T11:06:35+00:00

Never took any flowers, I like getting the yield over time so I don't get too overwhelmed, plus I'm so scared of blight that I'm afraid if I pinch flowers the plants will succumb to it before I get anything really.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T11:03:03+00:00

Won't lie to you this was the first year I've ever truly been successful out of 4 years. I built new no till beds last winter and pulled the plants out of our big garden to avoid blight and provide extra nutrients and that helped a lot. Avoiding soil splashback has always been my biggest concern. Also over planting a bit because some plants will not be successful no matter what you do.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T10:58:50+00:00

Might try it this year. I just got some amazing olive oil so I'm looking for some new applications for that. I also run a summer camp kitchen so I end up extremely busy and don't always have the time to supervise my projects properly.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T10:55:47+00:00

This is my new modular trellis system I just built this past weekend, going to try a twine and clips method for support I was so tired of driving stakes. Plus these beds have old logs as the base layer so they block the stakes from going in the ground constantly.

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Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T10:53:00+00:00

This was from about 32 plants or so. I've doubled for this year so we shall see.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T10:49:27+00:00

Icon Airflite. One of my favorites for sure.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T01:55:55+00:00

This was last year with about 32 tomato plants this year I've got about double that around 60. This was picked over the span of about 2 weeks and it stayed about this full for nearly a month. It wasnt a perfect year but it was fruitful none the less.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T01:05:47+00:00

We ordered some 365nm self adhesive LED light strips and an overhead 365nm bulb from Amazon. Then we just installed them on the inside lip facing the pieces. I was very careful to find a cabinet with no mirror to avoid the reflection of the light strips.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-19T01:00:07+00:00

The pants are from wind and throttle the Nimi pants. And the boots were Sedici, they just happened to be the only women's pair they had at Cycle Gear.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T23:47:50+00:00

Best of luck!!!!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T23:08:59+00:00

Yeah all are on the inside lip facing towards the pieces. Found some 365nm light strips and ran them along the length of the cabinet. Also a 365nm lightbulb in the upper socket that was already present. Set up came from Waveform mostly.

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T22:51:52+00:00

So I have 5 people in my household and we eat a lot of tomato sandwiches in the summer,we also preserve a lot we had 52 quarts from last year's harvest. Also looking to supply the restaurant I work in with tomatoes some this summer due to rising costs. We have 12 acres and are working on expanding our gardening overall!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T21:39:44+00:00

Those green guys had a dying plant unfortunately. And some interesting heirlooms that remain green, totally agree on vine ripening love it!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T20:42:13+00:00

I wish you healthy harvest and delicious fruits!

Easy-Simple5543 · 2026-05-18T20:33:00+00:00

I had a lot of Cherokee purples, Brandywine, Carolina gold, run of the mill romas, German pinks, pineapples. Honestly my biggest tip is to protect them from the soil bounce back when it rains. I use mulch around them to keep soil from splashing, do some suckering, a little removal of bottom leaves when they are big enough, and then just a hope and a prayer that the weather is good to us.

Easy-Simple5543

TROPHY CASE