Tomato Blight isn't something rare. Usually when people grow tomatoes at home, most of the plants suffer from bight, and getting rid of it before the plant dies becomes your top priority.
Basically there are two kinds of Tomato Blight, namely:
Sometimes, no matter how much trouble you take: making sure that the soil is fertile and free of blight causing fungi namely, Phytophthora infestans, the end result is brown spots on the tomato plant - Blight!!
Buy Carefully - If you buy your tomato seedlings, it would be wise to inspect them well before getting them home. The best option would be to select varieties that are resistant to nematodes and wilting.
The Fungus lives in your soil - Since the fungus can survive in your soil, it would be wise to plant your tomato plants in different sections of your garden each year. If you've grown potatoes, you may have noticed them getting the same spots - They wilt and die as well, but they're more resistant than tomatoes.
Space between Plants - As already mentioned blight can spread from one plant to another; therefore, try to leave as much space as you can between the plants. It won't prevent blight - but, the rate of spread would surely decrease.
Take care while watering - Watering tomatoes doesn't just include emptying a mug of water in the pot or spraying water from a hose into the garden. It's a delicate task which needs to be done right. You need to water at the base near the roots - don't wet the leaves as this is a favorable condition for the blight fungus.
The Early Worm Catches the Blight - It's a common phenomenon that the earlier in the tomato season that your tomatoes mature, the higher the probability that they'd catch the blight virus. This is true because it spreads from home to home and field to field - Hence, growing varieties that mature at different dates would be a great way to ensure you get some fruit.
Take care of the plant - Make sure that none of the leaves and branches touch the soil, if that's the case cut off the lower leaves/branches as blight from the soil would have easier access to the plant.
Basically there are two kinds of Tomato Blight, namely:
- Early Blight and
- Late Blight
When the fungus emerges, it's not going to begin on all the plants at once. Usually, it starts on one plant and then proceeds to the others. However, before you know it, the others are already infected (You may not see it).
Most people think that by removing the infected plant they're safe. But, the problem has already spread and hence it's a futile attempt. Then what should you do to get rid of tomato blight?
It's widely accepted that prevention is better than cure right? So, let's take a look at what you could do in order to prevent tomato blight in the first place.
Preventing Tomato Blight before it shows up!
Buy Carefully - If you buy your tomato seedlings, it would be wise to inspect them well before getting them home. The best option would be to select varieties that are resistant to nematodes and wilting. The Fungus lives in your soil - Since the fungus can survive in your soil, it would be wise to plant your tomato plants in different sections of your garden each year. If you've grown potatoes, you may have noticed them getting the same spots - They wilt and die as well, but they're more resistant than tomatoes.
Therefore, never plant tomatoes and potatoes in the same bed of your garden. Crop rotation would be the best practice in this case, it wouldn't just prevent blight, it would also increase the nutrient content of the soil.
Space between Plants - As already mentioned blight can spread from one plant to another; therefore, try to leave as much space as you can between the plants. It won't prevent blight - but, the rate of spread would surely decrease. Take care while watering - Watering tomatoes doesn't just include emptying a mug of water in the pot or spraying water from a hose into the garden. It's a delicate task which needs to be done right. You need to water at the base near the roots - don't wet the leaves as this is a favorable condition for the blight fungus.
I've written a detailed article on how you need to water tomato plants, you would benefit by reading it; because, by putting water on the leaves in sunlight you're going to be burning the plant alive!
The Early Worm Catches the Blight - It's a common phenomenon that the earlier in the tomato season that your tomatoes mature, the higher the probability that they'd catch the blight virus. This is true because it spreads from home to home and field to field - Hence, growing varieties that mature at different dates would be a great way to ensure you get some fruit. Take care of the plant - Make sure that none of the leaves and branches touch the soil, if that's the case cut off the lower leaves/branches as blight from the soil would have easier access to the plant.
Another thing that you could do is properly stake your tomatoes to ensure they stand well in-spite of winds (occasional contact with the soil too could increase the chances of tomato blight).
Curing your tomato plants of Blight once it's occurred
One of the best ways to cure your tomato plants of blight - early or late blight is to spray the right pesticide. The best would be something that doesn't harm the plant nor your health when you consume the tomatoes. Therefore, the best option would be a spray of baking soda.
Some more things that you should keep in mind
Whenever you find a single plant infected with tomato blight uproot it and burn or dispose of it in a bag. Wash your hands well as spores could travel form your hands to the surrounding plants. Once you do this, spray the remaining plants with a baking soda spray - Do this when the sun is down as the spray too contains water and watering plants when the sun is up isn't recommended.
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