Tomato challenge contestant steps up
Kim Politano of Deer Park, daughter of the late Harold Politano, who won the 2009 Great Long Island Tomato Challenge, is keeping her dad's tradition alive. Politano has started her own tomatoes from seed this year for the first time.
She writes:
Kim -- I think you're doing just fine. While there ARE a few plagues that can turn the undersides and/or veins of tomato leaves purple -- like curly leaf virus and psyllid infestation -- they aren't the first things that come to mind because your plants haven't been outdoors yet. Plus, I don't see any of the telltale white specs under the leaves in your photos. They're not impossible, just not my first impression. My best guess is you might be dealing with a potassium deficiency. What growing medium did you use? Have you fertilized? Harden them off for a few days and then get them in the garden ASAP. Be sure to mix in the appropriate amount of high-phosphorus fertilizer for the size of your plot, if you haven't applied it already. Compost, too. And some lime. If they don't bounce back, let me know and we'll take it from there.
Maybe try talking to them.
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