Tomato leaves curl: 8 reasons

In this article, we will tell you more about why the leaves of a tomato are curled, and how to help plants with this ailment.

Tomato leaves curl: a description of the reasons

Tomato leaves curl: photo

Of course, in order to understand how to deal with a problem, it is necessary to identify the sources and its causes.

As a rule, among the most important reasons for leaf twisting in tomatoes are the following:

• too hot a room in which the culture grows (usually, these are high temperatures in greenhouses);
• tomatoes are in dire need of moisture, but do not receive it, due to which they gradually dry out, and the leaves, accordingly, curl;
• lack of elements that are fed along with fertilizers and nutrient mixtures that feed tomatoes with the necessary components;
• an excessive amount of fertilizers that are supplied in a disproportionate amount by the gardeners themselves. This is usually the result of a person's inattentive and dismissive attitude to the feeding schedule and instructions for using a particular fertilizer;
• damage to the roots, which usually occurs due to the fact that the seedlings are improperly planted, or due to the subsequent care of tomatoes, loosening of the soil when the root system is touched;
• untimely removal of stepchildren. Leaves can also curl if the gardener has removed too many stepsons at the same time;
• pests can also be the reason why tomato leaves curl.

Some emphasize that the peculiarities of the tomato variety can serve as the real reason that the leaves curl, lose their attractive and healthy appearance. However, to avoid this, it is necessary to maintain some favorable conditions for the plant. Of course, the first way is to maintain a comfortable temperature in the greenhouses.

Usually the temperature in it is at least 5 degrees, slightly higher than outside. This temperature can be maintained even if the windows or doors in the greenhouse can be opened. Therefore, if the temperature in the greenhouse reaches 28 degrees and above, and there is no air circulation, then the leaves turn on a protective reaction: they begin to curl, because this helps them to avoid excessive evaporation.

But, as we can understand, such a reaction is only the beginning of the gradual death of the plant. Nevertheless, some varieties recover very quickly: at night the temperature drops slightly, and the leaves begin to gradually straighten out.

During particularly hot and dry periods, tomatoes lack moisture. Due to this, they begin to reduce the area of ​​evaporation of moisture from the leaves, twisting them. Therefore, you should draw up a schedule for watering tomatoes, and do this at least once a week.

It is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the variety, temperature regime, temperature jumps, prolonged rains or, conversely, a dry period. Nevertheless, having noticed curling for this very reason, in no case should you water the plant right away, but it is best to stretch it for a while so that the plant has time to adapt and get used to moisture.

Abrupt watering and an abundance of moisture can lead to the fact that the root system, which is not used to this, will simply begin to rot, and this will lead to the death of the entire plant.

Why do tomato leaves curl: lack and excess of components

Tomato leaves curl: photo

If neither abundant watering nor airing the greenhouse helped, and the leaves of the tomato are curling, then this may mean more serious and deeper problems. For example, a plant may be in dire need of nutrients and micronutrients to feed the root and stem systems. The leaves can also curl in different ways: it all depends on what exactly he lacks.

If a tomato lacks phosphorus supplements, they tend to curl upward. The leaves can also take on a purple or purple hue, especially from below. Phosphorus is the main trace mineral consumed by tomatoes to strengthen the root and stem systems. Also, tomatoes may lack copper, and this is usually the case, but much less often. The edges of the leaves begin to curl upward, and yellowish blurry spots appear on them, which gradually increase and darken.

If the shortage reaches its maximum level, then, as a result, the spots begin to blacken. There can be many spots, but they are located in a chaotic order. It may seem that the leaves have been eaten by some kind of pest, so the neighboring ones should also be examined for the same signs.

Potassium is another component, due to the lack of which tomato leaves can curl very actively. A dark brown border forms around the edges of the leaf. As a rule, tomatoes need a little less potassium than phosphorus, but, nevertheless, due to the lack of this component, very big problems can arise. If the deficit is pronounced, or has reached its total form, then the bushes should be immediately fed with chlorine-free potassium fertilizer, which can be found in shops for gardeners and gardeners.

But there are situations when, on the contrary, the plant suffers not because of a shortage, but because of an overabundance of various fertilizers. In turn, this can lead to a wide variety of diseases, and this is reflected in the state of the foliage of the plant.

If there is an excess of nitrogen, then this is indicated by the curling leaves located at the top of the plant. As for the lower leaves, they are quite powerful, and their appearance may not change at all. In order to get rid of excess nitrogen, an extract should be applied under the root, which consists of ash or any potash fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizing should be completely excluded for a while.

Zinc - its excess is not found as often as an excess of nitrogen fertilizers, but still it is worth being able to determine this process, otherwise the situation can only worsen over time. Usually, an overabundance of zinc occurs due to the fact that the gardener strays from the feeding schedules, and also applies too much fertilizer, not corresponding to the dosage indicated on the package and in the instructions.

Other causes of leaf curl

Tomato leaves curl: photo

Of course, it is worth remembering that the root system plays a significant role in the condition and appearance of the leaves. If the root system is damaged, then this is immediately reflected in other parts of the tomato. After planting, you can often notice that the plant at first looks weak and stunted. If after a few days it has become obsolete, then this indicates that it has taken root and adapted.

If, after planting, the plant and its appearance deteriorates, the leaves begin to curl, then this indicates that the root system has been damaged, and that it is necessary to fix it or get rid of the plant, since it will inevitably die.

Pinching plays an important role in the state of the tomato and its life. Untimely pinching can lead to the fact that the leaves begin to curl quickly. Usually, stepchildren must be removed if their size is no more than 5 centimeters. Removing the larger stepchildren is a huge stress on the plant, so it produces a similar response by rolling the leaves.

Pests are a topic that prevents many gardeners. Very often greenhouse tomatoes are affected by insects such as the greenhouse whitefly. She lays her eggs at the bottom of the plant, on the bottom of the leaves. They also add sooty fungus, which, in turn, begins to infect the leaves themselves. They gradually curl, and if you do not start to fight this pest in time, this can lead to negative consequences for the plant itself, as well as for the future harvest.

Of course, we choose for ourselves a wide variety of tomato varieties, which also plays an important role in the state of the leaves. In some varieties, curling is a natural process that is laid down at the genetic level. Moreover, varieties such as cherry, as well as small-fruited varieties of tomatoes, are prone to this manifestation. If the plate is twisted down, then for such varieties this is considered an absolute norm, and care should be left as it was from the very beginning of planting.