[Big Jen]

I think my tomatoes have a virus  
Noticed a yellowish mottling on lower leaves a good few weeks ago and have been spraying with epsom salts in the hope that it was magnesium deficiency. But its got worse and now all leaves are mottley. The yellow mottles gradually turn brown/bronze. Have googled and it looks like spotted wilt?
It doesnt seem to have stopped the plants from cropping, they are loaded with toms but none are ripe yet. Have stripped the worst effected leaves off and burnt them.
All toms were grown from seed in disinfected pots etc and greenhouse was gutted and disinfected in the spring. Outdoor toms are unaffected.
Are there any tomato experts out there that could help me.
Wll be devastated if I loose them because I lost the lot with blight last year









HELP

[TheChilliMan]

Its possible it could be the Mosiac virus, most tomatoes encounter this virus at some point. A picture would really help though Mosiac Virus looks like a bronzy colour. My beef tomatoes had some, leaves and infected areas should be removed imediately.

[Big Jen]

I will try to photo tomorrow - I am sure there will be some more infected leaves then.
Does this mean all the fruit will be no good? I have 24 tom plants in the greenhouse, different varieties. I have Shirley plants which are supposed to be mosaic resistent but that has it as well?
BJ

[TheChilliMan]

I don't know about Mosiac Resistent, but I'm no expert. This is Mosiac.


you could also try looking it up on wikipedia

[gobs]

I will try to photo tomorrow - I am sure there will be some more infected leaves then.
Does this mean all the fruit will be no good? I have 24 tom plants in the greenhouse, different varieties. I have Shirley plants which are supposed to be mosaic resistent but that has it as well?
BJ

You would need an insect vector for them to be there, most likely. Growth and fruiting is usually effected, so I'm doubtful.

Red spider mites by any chance?

[Big Jen]

It does look a bit like the photo above, on older leaves which I have know destroyed but it starts as yellow spots.
Definately no whitefly, blackfly. As for red spider mite - what sort of thing should I look for?.
Cant photo till tonight as at work.
BJ

[gobs]

You would have noticed if you had them. If no sign of insects, have a look at leaf mould, there some good photos on google images.

[Big Jen]

Photos added
Can anyone give me some good news :?:

[TheChilliMan]

The first 2 pics look very much like mosaic, which isnt bad because you can just pull off the leaves infected. The other 2,.....................possibly rust? Thats how it looks. I hope someone confirms it

[agapanthus]

Looks like mosaic....take off the affected leaves...try and leave a few green ones on.Give it a squirt with washing up liquid and water...the bleach in the washing up liquid will hopefully sort it out!

[TheChilliMan]

In my experience, I just pulled off the leaves and that was the end of it

Can I just say, wow those leaves look huge

[Big Jen]

Yes those leaves are off Brandywine Toms and they are huge, more like banana leaves. The tomatoes are very big as well, just hope they manage to ripen with this mosaic problem.
BJ

[lincspoacher]

The distortion of the leaves is suggestive of Tomato Aspermy Virus. Are here any Chrysanthemums nearby ? Otherwise id go for Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Either way its down to aphids spreading it.

[willnbirdie]

Hi Big Jen

Just seen your post - the leaves on your tomatoes pictures 3 & 4 look very much like mine.  I am so hoping that the folks who have replied to you are wrong, I have done a lot of reading and was convinced my problem was magnesium deficiency.

I posted earlier in the week and had a really great reply and have been out and bought some Epsom Salts from the garden centre and have both sprayed and watered the plants with it.

Will keep an eye on your post see how you go - I am hoping to see some results in a week or two as the plants have grown really well and have lots of fruit set on them now.  Would be very sad to loose the lot.

cheers

willnbirdie

[Big Jen]

Hi Willnbirdie
I was really hoping it was magnesium deficiency as well but its not. :cry:
The epsom salts do seem to help the plants though and keep the remaining leaves green. I have 24 plants in my greenhouse absolutely laden with toms and still flowering like mad. I thought that viruses affected the yield of fruit? I have cut some of the toms in half and there is no sign of any mosaic inside them. Just have to keep fingers crossed that I get them ripe.
BJ