Removing (Phytophthora Infestans) devastated tomato

**Durgan** · 09-08-2009, 02:39 PM

Removing (Phytophthora Infestans) devastated tomato plants
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?OQXBU 8 September 2009 Removing (Phytophthora Infestans) devastated tomato plants

Tomato plants were devastated by potato blight (Phytophthora Infestans). Usually at this time of year, with no frost, the plants should be all green and thriving.

The support system was removed and stored for next year's use. Plants were disposed of in the garbage to reduce the chance of spore infection in the garden. The bed was rototilled.

Curiously one tomato plant did not suffer from the (Phytophthora Infestans) as much as the other 15 different varieties. This one tomato plant was Burpee Supersteak, a hybrid.
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?TRFOE Here is one supplier of seeds.

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-09-2009, 12:25 PM

So... how can you tell the difference between this blight and the normal aging of the tomato plants? Mine turn brown every summer. Is it that the blighted ones don't produce? I saw the picture of the tomato with the black spots on the bottom, how is this different than blossom end rot?

**Durgan** · 09-09-2009, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

So... how can you tell the difference between this blight and the normal aging of the tomato plants? Mine turn brown every summer. Is it that the blighted ones don't produce? I saw the picture of the tomato with the black spots on the bottom, how is this different than blossom end rot?

At this time of year with no frost the tomato plants should be aging but not dead- meaning lots of green new shoots and some flowers.

The lesions from blossom end rot, which is common, are only at the stem side of the fruit. The potato blight is along the sides or other parts of the tomato. At first glance the damage is similar, but blossom end rot usually doesn't devastate a whole plant.

**frugalfranny** · 09-09-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks durgan, now I sort of know what to watch for.....have never had this, thank god.

Did get caught with a bit of blossom end rot this year but caught it early and removed the few infected tomatoes....then we warmed up again....so I lucked out there.

You said BER affects the stem end.......didn't you mean blossom end? Or is this something different? My BER was on the blossom end. Was watching for it as I had just watered my tomatoes when we got two days of heavy rain (for us).......sure enough...stuff happens.