Veggie Garden Questions
1. My tomatoes are getting tiny black spots on them. What is this, and what can I do to save my tomatoes? 2. My basil is being attacked by metallic looking beetles, about the size of a dime. Who are these creatures, and how can I get rid of them without using chemicals? I'm so excited about my garden, but as things are maturing it's looking grim. Please advice! Thanks! |
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| Is it multiple spots on the fruit or a big spot on the end opposite the stem?
If it is the big spot opposite the stem, that's blossom end rot caused by irregular soil moisture and calcium deficiency. The water can be taken care off with more attention, though much harder in pots. For the calcium part, you can try finding fertilizer with calcium or just use a couple of antacids or bone building pills.......Tums, Citracal, etc. If multiple spots on the fruit, well that's fungus or bacteria problems. There's not a nonchemical way to treat it. Usually a copper containing spray which will burn out the fungus or bacteria. Spots can also be caused by leafhoppers, tiny sucking pests that feed and move on, leaving a virus behind in the plant that can't be "sprayed away." That's our main problem here. As for your metallic beetle, my first thought was Japanese beetle, but I'd hope you'd recognize this nasty. It's not tiny, rather average size, green head, thorax and abdomen with brown wing covers. Colorful little pisser. If your uninvited guest is smaller, then it could be one of several genera. Your low toxic stuff are Pyrethrum or Rotenone. You can buy the separately or I'd much prefer them together. I'm not sure which one will work for you, I'm thinking Rotenone. Realize just because these are from natural products, they are not automatically safe to use. You still need to wear gloves and not get it on you nor breathe it. Horticultural soap doesn't work on beetles, just makes them cleaner. Hort oils are tricky since beetles can fly away and avoid the spray or the oil may hurt the plant. Better on bugs that stay put. |
| ^^^^^yep to all that^^^^^^
My BIL has the same trouble many years with his tomatoes. They get big, his tastebuds are salivating and they get this black crud and they rot...  |
We're having trouble with our tomatoes too!! The plant itself grew really tall but no tomatoes.  We think we used the wrong type of soil. Mr. j's first time! |
Joahaeyo wrote: We're having trouble with our tomatoes too!! The plant itself grew really tall but no tomatoes.
We think we used the wrong type of soil. Mr. j's first time!Maybe a lack of pollination issue instead? |
got sheep wrote: Joahaeyo wrote: We're having trouble with our tomatoes too!! The plant itself grew really tall but no tomatoes. We think we used the wrong type of soil. Mr. j's first time!Maybe a lack of pollination issue instead? My zuchini flopped from lack of pollination this year. Gorgeous plants and blossoms...no zuchinis :cry: |
| Zuccs flop if weather keeps bees away.....such as too much rain...or maybe no bees? Then you have to be the bee and transfer the pollen from the males to the girls.
All bush, no fruit is often a indication of a soil far too high in nitrogen and not the other elements. Also excessive heat will prevent pollination as the pollen dries out in temps above 90.......tho with the high humidity there it MIGHT last a bit longer. Sometimes the Blossom Set spray gives you an little extra help. Another thought, JO, this the type tomato. Determinates bear only when the plant gets a certain size and then bears only on the tops. Indeterminates will bear all over and often to excess. Many of the cherry tomatoes are indeterminate and rampant growers. My Sweet 100s were set out June first, yes late and are now 8 feet tall and frankly I can't contain them any longer  |
| That's exactly what Mr. J thought about the soil, but I just forwarded this thread to him so he can read the other reasons. Our fruits grew but not the veggies. Thanks for the tips! |
SheepieBoss wrote: Zuccs flop if weather keeps bees away.....such as too much rain...or maybe no bees? Then you have to be the bee and transfer the pollen from the males to the girls.
All bush, no fruit is often a indication of a soil far too high in nitrogen and not the other elements. Also excessive heat will prevent pollination as the pollen dries out in temps above 90.......tho with the high humidity there it MIGHT last a bit longer. Sometimes the Blossom Set spray gives you an little extra help. Another thought, JO, this the type tomato. Determinates bear only when the plant gets a certain size and then bears only on the tops. Indeterminates will bear all over and often to excess. Many of the cherry tomatoes are indeterminate and rampant growers. My Sweet 100s were set out June first, yes late and are now 8 feet tall and frankly I can't contain them any longer How do you know all this stuff? You're brilliant! |
debcram wrote: SheepieBoss wrote: Zuccs flop if weather keeps bees away.....such as too much rain...or maybe no bees? Then you have to be the bee and transfer the pollen from the males to the girls. All bush, no fruit is often a indication of a soil far too high in nitrogen and not the other elements. Also excessive heat will prevent pollination as the pollen dries out in temps above 90.......tho with the high humidity there it MIGHT last a bit longer. Sometimes the Blossom Set spray gives you an little extra help. Another thought, JO, this the type tomato. Determinates bear only when the plant gets a certain size and then bears only on the tops. Indeterminates will bear all over and often to excess. Many of the cherry tomatoes are indeterminate and rampant growers. My Sweet 100s were set out June first, yes late and are now 8 feet tall and frankly I can't contain them any longer How do you know all this stuff? You're brilliant! I was thinking the same thing. You are so versed in things. I am always in awe...  |
| I don't know nuttin' about most things, but Horticulture is my (was my?) bag. Owned landscape company, worked for Extension Service, taught classes, wrote garden articles, did radio/tv shows, etc.
Retired and tired.........I'll help you with your problems but please excuse the mess here. We removed most of Paradise as it took too much water and energy to maintain. The 200 roses kept getting caught on Pyr's tails.....so they'd dig them up. The apple orchard feel to the chain saw last winter. Too much water and work. |
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