Tomato plants, known scientifically as Solanum lycopersicum, originated from western South America and Central America. These flowering plants, of the nightshade family Solanaceae, are grown for their edible fruits which are a good source of vitamin C and lycopene. Tomato plants prefer warm weather with a lot of sunshine, and are considered hardy. However, they are also prone to problems and diseases, and could die if the cause of the problem is identified and remedied in time.
How to save a dying tomato plant
To save your dying tomato plants, first check that you have been providing everything necessary for their healthy growth. These plants need about four hours of regular sunlight daily to survive, and with too little sunlight the leaves will wilt and fall off.
Make sure that the plants are watered enough and regularly. Tomato plants should get at least one to two inches of water, and should not be watered again until the topsoil is only slightly moist. Over- or underwatering the plants could cause wilting and the leaves may fall off, so always be mindful of your watering schedule.
Your plants also need to be receiving the right nutrients. Important nutrients are NPK, or nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Add fertilizers that are NPK-rich a week before planting the tomato plants, and regularly during the flowering and fruit-bearing periods.
You can add this fertilizer directly to the soil. Signs of recovery should be observed in just one week, since tomato plants can recover quickly from nutrient deficiency. Add only the recommended amount of fertilizer for the plants, regardless of the damage that has been done. You should not over-fertilize since tomato plants are sensitive to nutrients.
If the above measures do not seem to be helping to save your dying tomato plants, try transplanting them as a last resort. Transplanting has been proven to eradicate root rot. Remove the plants from the soil, clean the roots, and prune off any damaged or rotten roots. Handle the roots with care, and be careful not to damage the healthy parts of the roots. Finally, repot the tomatoes in a fresh compost mix and make sure that the pots or planters have drainage holes.
It is normal for the plants to wilt after transplanting them. Wilting may just be the plants’ way of adjusting to their new habitat, and they can get back into good shape after a few days.
Other possible causes of dying tomato plants
If your tomato plants look sickly and wilted, it could be due to pests and insects. Examine the leaves frequently for pests. Common pests that attack tomato plants include tomato hornworms, red spider mites, stalk borers and green spider mites.
Spray the plants with a strong blast of water daily for a few days. This will remove pests like aphids, mites and other small pests. Apply insecticidal soap mixture to prevent re-infection. Predator insects like ladybugs can also keep the pests at bay.
Tomato hornworms and stalk borers can be removed manually and dropped into a bucket of soapy water. Examine the plants regularly, since pests tend to return.
Aside from monitoring your plants for pests, you should also learn to identify the common diseases of tomato plants. If you notice that they tend to wilt during the daytime but recover at night, it could be due to fungal diseases such as Verticillium wilt or Fusarium wilt. These are caused by soil-dwelling fungi and to avoid damage to the plants you should apply fungicides at once. Early detection can save your plants from dying of fungal diseases.
Signs of a dying tomato plant
- The leaves are wilting and turning yellow.
- The stems are beginning to collapse.
- The leaves are dry and crisp.
- The discoloration has spread to the stems.
Precautions to take if you have a dying tomato plant
If you notice that your tomato plants are dying, move them away from other plants at once. Do not compost dead tomato plants; most tomato diseases can survive in plant debris over the winter season. Dispose of the dead plants, including their soil, to avoid the spread of disease to the new crops you plant in that area.
Conclusion
Tomato plants are widely cultivated for their edible fruits, which are used for food and cooking purposes. They are considered hardy plants, but are also prone to diseases. The common signs of a dying tomato plant include wilting and yellowing leaves, and collapsing stems. Make sure that the plants are watered regularly and fed with nutrient-rich fertilizers, and if all else fails you may have to transplant them using a new compost mix and a clean pot with good drainage holes.
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