Why do tomato seedlings curl leaves and what to do about it?

The leaves curl down not only in window-grown plants, but also in adult tomatoes. There are several reasons why this happens.

Elevated temperature

If the temperature is above +35, then it will definitely affect the development of plants. During the day, their leaves wither and curl like a boat, and at night they take a normal upward appearance. What should I do to fix this?

If the seedlings are grown in a greenhouse, they should be regularly ventilated or shaded from strong sun. At home, transfer the tomatoes to windows, where the sun fries less.

Advice

The most common reason is the small volume of the container. Transplant the tomatoes into a larger pot, or transplant them to a permanent location.

Improper watering

The reason why the leaves curl may be improper watering.

Tomatoes, as many know, need abundant soil moisture, but this does not mean that they need to be poured daily. In this case, only the upper and not the lower roots develop on the root system. They do not have time to saturate the plants to the full. Therefore, tomatoes should be watered a lot, but not often. A couple of times a week in dry weather will be enough. Curling down can also cause a lack of moisture.

What to do to fix it? It is recommended to ensure that the topsoil of the seedlings is constantly moist. With a lack of moisture, the most vulnerable parts of plants wither.

Fertilizers

Why does excess or lack of fertilizer lead to the fact that the upper leaves wither and fold?

Without feeding the plants, you cannot get a good harvest, but an excess of it can lead to curling. Excess nitrogen leads to a lack of phosphorus, potassium and zinc in the soil.

To fix this, you need to reduce the amount of nitrogenous fertilizers and add phosphorus-potash... The leaves will return to their normal appearance and rise up.

• They signal a lack of phosphorus purple tint.
• With a lack of zinc, they bend down, and the top of the crown is curled.
• There is not enough boron - young leaves roll down.
• Lack of copper or sulfur - shoots will become small.
• With a lack of calcium, they are pale and twisted.
• Iron deficiency - the leaves sag and turn yellow, the ends are twisted up.

Important!

Complex fertilizers should contain trace elements necessary for the plant, and it is recommended to feed them twice a month.

Stepping

Why does improper pinning affect twisting? Gardeners most often remove stepchildren from tomatoes in one or two times. This is harmful to the plant. After such a procedure, the next day they curl up and hang down. What should I do to fix this?

Stepsons need to be removed as they grow 5-6 cm, and the lower ones - as fruit ovaries appear.

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests can also be the cause. Do the edges of the leaves wrap and dry? Examine the bush carefully. If aphids are detected or whitefly, take urgent action. It is recommended to treat tomatoes with solutions of Fufanon, Tantrek and Biotlin preparations. These products help control pests on tomatoes.

If a disease such as late blight is detected, diseased parts of the plant should be regularly removed and treat them against phytophthora... The following drugs are recommended:

• Avixil;
• colloidal sulfur;
• Bordeaux mixture.

Why don't you need to leave tomatoes for seeds from such plants? Because not only the leaves and stems of the plants are infected, but also the seeds that will not give you a good harvest.

Excess light and a long lack of moisture threaten the emergence of a thin-leaved virus. The result is a poor harvest, small, shriveled fruits with a tough core. The leaves are drying.

Treatment of tomatoes is possible by spraying with a solution of urea and manganese. The procedure must be repeated every 2-3 days until complete recovery. For seedlings, create a shade from the sun.

If you see that small leaves are suddenly twisting on the top of the head, then this is possibly a spider mite. Treat urgently with a special preparation.

Advice

If the tomatoes are heavily infested, these plants should be destroyed.

With such a disease as bacteriosis of tomatoes, they grow thin, weakened. Adult plants lag behind in development, inflorescences are deformed, leaves wither and dry. The tops of their heads droop down.

Why are plants infected with bacteriosis removed and burned? Because they cannot be cured. The soil should be spilled with a manganese solution or any disinfectant to disinfect the soil.

Attention!

Some varieties, usually tall, have curled leaves. This is their feature, not a disease, so there is no need to worry.

Optimal conditions for the development of seedlings

Your future harvest directly depends on healthy plants. Therefore, they should create all the conditions for growing.

1. Buy or collect uninfected seeds.
2. Before planting, they must be disinfected in a manganese solution.
3. The soil should also be disinfected from the disease by spilling it with boiling water or manganese. This should be done in the spring before planting.
4. As you grow, you need to transplant tomatoes into larger containers.
5. Do not damage the root system during transplantation.
6. Provide sufficient watering to prevent the soil from drying out.
7. If the seedlings are under the rays of the scorching sun, they must either be transferred to another place, or shaded.
8. Fertilizers should be applied in moderation. If the soil contains humus, then they do not need to be applied, just add a little wood ash.
9. Ventilate tomatoes whenever possible.
10. Do not get carried away by excessive cutting off of stepsons in one go. To do this procedure better gradually.

Subject to the optimal conditions for seedlings, it will grow healthy and subsequently give a bountiful harvest of tomatoes.