[janiejakemum]

Hi

I have a problem with my tomatoes in my greenhouse.  The plants are still very small as my greenhouse was only built a month ago anyway, my tomatoe plants look poorly the leaves are curling.  My mother in law says its probably whitefly and my dad says its probably blight - any ideas what i can do??

They arent even flowering yet let alone bearing fruit.  I only have tomatoes and chilli plants in my greenhouse but if i had to sacrafice my toms to save the chillis then i would - we much prefer the chillis the tomatoes are really only being grown because i can.

thanks

[peapod]

A pic would help, but the leaves curling isnt always a problem, and is sometimes done by the plant to 'stay cool' My own tomatoes have been prone to it this year but are now happily flowering away.  You could try shading your GH from the harsh sun (though I havent bothered with mine, its not too bad for most of the day)

Check if they have any mark on them, and then get back to us if you can

[gillie]

Curling leaves are not a symptom of blight.  Have a look under the leaves for signs of bug life and spray if you find any.

Whitefly usually rise up in swarms when you touch the plants.  Greenfly stay put.  I find those sticky yellow cards which you hang up in a greenhouse useful for whitefly.

If you do not find any beasties the leaf curl is harmless, caused I think, by large differences in day and night temperatures.  My tomato leaves are curling like crazy, but I have a huge crop about to ripen.

Cheers,

Gillie

[janiejakemum]

Ok thanks for that from what you've just said i reckon it must by white fly and poss temperature too.  I have been spraying every other day with a mild soapy wash which has got rid of green/blackfly but maybe the white fly all go up and avoid the spray then return to the plant later on.

I put some french marigolds in there to try to put the white fly off but its too soon to tell.  I dont have any of the sticky tape thingys so ill have to maybe look out for some.

[Kristen]

"from what you've just said i reckon it must by white fly"

If you shake the plant reasonably vigorously (don't break it!!) you'll see the white fly take flight.  if you don't, they aren't there 

[mumofstig]

As Gillie says the curling leaves are a response to a big change between high daytime and low nightime temperatures.............which is just what we have been having lately Just carry on with them as normal and with kind weather they should sort themselves out

[sunshineband]

If you do have any whitefly, you could try yellow sticky traps. Werks fer me (but mind your hair on them  )

[Ice]

Bug Clear will solve this problem immediately and it lasts for ages.  Spray crops at least two weeks before harvest and you will be ok.

Tomato leaf curl, as others have said, is nothing to worry about.

[home made pie]

won't those sticky things get the good guys...like bees ?

[sunshineband]

I've never actually known this happen actually