Blight is identified by brown or black spots and yellowing leaves.
Credit: Maryland Cooperative Extension | ©www.agnr.umd.edu
My garden had been doing very well this year. We have gotten the right amount of rain, warm, sunny days, and the plants were growing quickly. However, when I took a trip out to check my tomato plants last week, I discovered the dread of every tomato gardener: blight.
What causes blight?
What is blight exactly? Blight is basically a fungal infection. Theories abound on what actually causes the plant disease. Some say that soil which is nutrient-deficient creates a breeding ground for blight. Others say that a lack of lime is the problem. Finally, many successful gardeners insist that the fungus is bred by heavy rain fall, mixed with humidity and certain soil conditions. Regardless of the exact cause, blight can be detrimental to your crop.
How is blight identified?
Blight can be difficult to spot at first, which in turn may allow the disease to spread and possibly cause significant damage before it is treated. Conscientious gardeners notice blight in its early stages: when small black or brown circles begin to form on the lower leaves of the plant. The spot usually consists of a dark outer ring with a lighter center. As blight spreads, the number of spots multiply and the leaves begin to turn yellow. The fungus moves up the plant, damaging the leaves in its path.
What harm does blight cause?
Blight can completely destroy your tomato crop. If you do not attempt to treat it, your plants may not form fruit or even flower effectively. If you discover blight, you must attempt to treat it.
How is blight treated?
The first step in stemming the spread of blight is to remove all of the damaged leaves. This is a painful process, but it must be done in order to keep the disease from spreading. Wash your hands in between plants so as to keep from spreading blight to healthy plants or leaves. Dispose of infected leaves away from your garden. Blight lives in the ground, and by leaving infected leaves on the soil you will be furthering the spread. You will also need to plant your tomatoes in a different location for the next few years, as blight will continue to be present in the soil.
What causes blight?
What is blight exactly? Blight is basically a fungal infection. Theories abound on what actually causes the plant disease. Some say that soil which is nutrient-deficient creates a breeding ground for blight. Others say that a lack of lime is the problem. Finally, many successful gardeners insist that the fungus is bred by heavy rain fall, mixed with humidity and certain soil conditions. Regardless of the exact cause, blight can be detrimental to your crop.
How is blight identified?
Blight can be difficult to spot at first, which in turn may allow the disease to spread and possibly cause significant damage before it is treated. Conscientious gardeners notice blight in its early stages: when small black or brown circles begin to form on the lower leaves of the plant. The spot usually consists of a dark outer ring with a lighter center. As blight spreads, the number of spots multiply and the leaves begin to turn yellow. The fungus moves up the plant, damaging the leaves in its path.
What harm does blight cause?
Blight can completely destroy your tomato crop. If you do not attempt to treat it, your plants may not form fruit or even flower effectively. If you discover blight, you must attempt to treat it.
How is blight treated?
The first step in stemming the spread of blight is to remove all of the damaged leaves. This is a painful process, but it must be done in order to keep the disease from spreading. Wash your hands in between plants so as to keep from spreading blight to healthy plants or leaves. Dispose of infected leaves away from your garden. Blight lives in the ground, and by leaving infected leaves on the soil you will be furthering the spread. You will also need to plant your tomatoes in a different location for the next few years, as blight will continue to be present in the soil.
- Tomato blight, if left untreated, can completely devastate your crop.
- You must remove all of the damaged leaves to help stop the spread.
- Blight remains in the ground, so you'll have to plant your tomatoes somewhere else next year.
Comments
Luann
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/12/2009
When buying tomato plants, always look for these letters. VFNT
Bruce W
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/31/2009
I have lived in Western PA all my life (now at age 54) and have had a garden much of my adult life. I never heard of this blight before, this is the first year I have seen it and have fallen victom to it. My question is the last few years we have had strange bugs and now strange diseases to our plants why all of a sudden is Western PA having problems? I believe this is a man made problems!!
Fred
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/19/2009
We started our plants from seed this year but still got blight in on section of our garden. The spores are airborne and you can get them from neighboring gardens so keep a very close watch on your plants and act quickly if you see anything. I have heard of folks going away for a few days and coming back to find most of their tomatoes ruined.
Suzi Wood
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/10/2009
How do I treat the soil after I pulled out all of my tomatoe plants due to blight fungi? What do I need to treat the soil with?
Steve in MA
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/09/2009
Bought plants at Lowes in Milford, now have blight. Thought it was going great until I checked recentlt. Question...any potential harm to me...breathing in these spores? I did not know this was fungus based disease until after being out there all day with my face in these plants clipping leaves and bad branches.
ella
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/06/2009
what do l get to kill blite one my tomatoes and tatters
Cat
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/02/2009
I usually purchase my tomato plants, but this year decided to grow them from seed and so far so good....Great article...:)
Good article! I've planted my own tomatoes this year for the first time, from seed!
Great article.. Thanks so much!
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