Purple leaves of tomatoes

Healthy tomato bushes are proud owners of succulent green foliage. And if the color of the leaves changes, becoming yellow or, for example, purple, then this is a clear signal of some kind of malfunction in the development of the plant. Therefore, you need to know the symptoms of what problems purple leaves in tomatoes can be. To solve these problems promptly and quickly. And also to provide the plants with everything they need. Because only in comfortable conditions will plants give a good harvest.

Purple leaves of tomatoes: why?

Purple leaves of tomatoes: photo

There are four main reasons why tomato foliage can take on such an odd color. All of them are associated with gardeners' mistakes. That is, with violations of the rules of plant care.

The soil

Seedling tomato with purple leaves: photo

It is difficult for any plant to grow in poor and unprepared soil. Even if the seedlings take root quickly, sooner or later the plant will show its reaction. Shows you that nutrients are sorely lacking. And also there is a violation of various physiological processes.

If the problem is in the composition of the soil, then the leaves begin to change color first at the bottom of the plant. Because all nutrient flows are directed upward to young shoots. And the lower leaves practically do not get important elements.

So if the plants start to change color to purple from the lower leaves, then you have planted them in the wrong soil. The acidity level of the soil may be too high. Or, conversely, too low. Lack of important micronutrients.

And phosphorus is in hard-to-reach compounds. And in a form in which tomatoes are unable to assimilate it. In this case, after changing the color of the foliage, it is possible to slow down the growth of the plant. And also a delay in flowering.

Lighting

The importance of sunlight for any plant cannot be overstated. And in this matter, tomatoes are no exception. Lack of light can be another reason why tomato leaves turn purple.

Daylight hours for the normal development of tomatoes should last at least ten hours. But also no more than twelve. Because everything is good in moderation. Too much light can also be harmful to plants. They should be able to rest. And also to assimilate the nutrients accumulated during the day. This also applies to seedlings and large bushes.

Air temperature

The most comfortable temperature for tomatoes is + 22 ... + 25 degrees. At temperatures below +20 degrees, they practically stop growing. They also lose the ability to assimilate phosphorus. And in case of heat at 40 degrees, the action of all processes is also disrupted and the color of the leaves changes.

So in the case of temperature, as with light, the golden mean is important. It shouldn't be too cold or too hot. Moreover, at high temperatures, the pollen of flowering plants becomes sterile. This means that there will be no harvest.

Purple leaves of tomatoes and phosphorus

Purple leaves of tomatoes: photo

Actually, the main reason that the leaves of tomatoes are purple is a lack of phosphorus. All of the above reasons are only factors that affect the plant's ability to absorb phosphorus from the soil.

As a rule, in parallel with a phosphorus deficiency, problems arise with the absorption of nitrogen. As a result, tomatoes stop growing. They become brittle and brittle. And also foliage curls. In such a situation, we must act as quickly as possible. Because an initially insignificant problem can result in a complete loss of the crop.

Ways to solve problems

If you reacted to the symptom in time and identified the problem, then proceed to solve it. And after a while, the foliage will regain its original bright green color.

Improving soil composition

The purple leaf problem rarely occurs during the seedling stage. Because we plant seeds in rich and fertile soil. Purchased seedling soil is rich in phosphorus. And also the rest of the necessary elements in exactly the ratio in which you need to grow seedlings.

So at first you don't have to worry about anything. But the soil in the greenhouse or on the garden bed must be prepared in advance by determining the acidity level and adding all the necessary fertilizers.

Improving environmental conditions

Why does a tomato have purple leaves?

When growing seedlings, in the very first days, try to maintain a temperature of + 24 ... + 26 degrees. After emergence, the temperature can be reduced by 3-4 degrees. As we already said, at the seedling stage, foliage rarely changes color.

This can happen when you start hardening it. Or after transplanting to a permanent place. Thus, tomatoes show their reaction to a sharp change in the environment. Take your time to act and wait a few days. Chances are, when the plants take root and adapt, the color of the leaves will return to normal.

If the seedlings have changed color from a lack of light, then transfer them to the lightest window. To prevent it from stretching too much, you can lower the temperature by a couple of degrees. And also carefully tear off the lower leaves. And huddle each plant a little.

And remember to rotate the seedlings 180 degrees daily so they don't grow at an angle. If possible, provide illumination with a phytolamp. Conventional table lamps are not suitable for this purpose. Including it in the morning and evening hours, provide the plants with at least 10 hours of daylight.

Timely feeding

Seedlings can change color shortly before transplanting to a permanent place. And this, as a rule, indicates that the supply of nutrients has run out. So it's time to feed using complex or purposefully phosphate fertilizers.

Dilute any phosphoric fertilizer (Superphosphate, Ammophos, Nitroammophos, Nitrofos) in water, following the instructions on the package. And feed the seedlings. You will see that the leaves will return to their original color pretty quickly.

Purple leaves of tomatoes, what to do?

Wood ash can be used. Prepare a solution of ash and water. Or simply dust the surface of the ground under the tomatoes with ashes. You can also carry out foliar feeding. That is, spray the plants with a specially prepared composition.

Mix a liter of ash with a liter of hot water. Insist 24 hours. Then dilute this mixture with three liters of warm water. Add some liquid or crushed soap. Spray the tomato bushes. And the result will appear very soon.

Also, the surface of the earth can be sprinkled with bone meal, it contains a large amount of phosphorus. Sprinkle at the rate of 100 grams per square meter of soil.

When feeding to make up for the phosphorus deficiency, do not forget that an excess of any substance can be as destructive as its lack. Therefore, do not seek with the best intentions to increase the concentration of fertilizers.

When you have found and eliminated the cause of the problem, you can additionally water the tomatoes with growth stimulants, as they will help the plants recover faster and increase their immunity. To do this, use the preparations "Epin", "Kornevin", "Zircon", "Biohumus" and others.

So that the seedlings do not run out of nutrients until they are planted in the ground, it is very important to plant the seeds correctly, providing each plant with a sufficient amount of soil (an ideal container volume of 0.2 liters).

When the foliage of tomatoes turns purple, gardeners usually do not consider it a serious nuisance.Of course, there are situations that are much worse, for example, when the foliage dries up, or the fruits rot. However, if not even the most serious problem is eliminated in time, then over time it can cause trouble. So, when purple leaves appear, pay attention to the lighting and air temperature, and also carry out an unscheduled fertilization using phosphate fertilizers. You will see, the plants will recover very quickly.