Why do tomato seedling leaves turn white? Main reasons

Sunburn on young seedlings

What should you do if your tomatoes have been exposed to direct sunlight? First, you can confirm that you're dealing with sunburn by inspecting the plants. If you see white spots on the leaves here and there, or even everywhere, these are definitely signs of sunburn. This can happen, for example, if you placed containerized seedlings on a windowsill exposed to direct sunlight. Another possible cause is that the seedlings were transplanted outdoors and the plant was stressed (from a somewhat shaded location to a well-lit, open area).

What should you do if the leaves on your tomatoes turn white?

Try to gradually acclimate your tomato seedlings to bright light. To do this, place the container with the rooted tomato cuttings in a sunny spot for short periods. When it's time to plant tomatoes outdoors, it's recommended to place the seedlings outside daily. A few hours a day is enough for the plants to acclimate to bright sunlight. Only after this is done can you safely plant the seedlings in the garden.

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Troubles of mature plants

A lack of fertilizer or improper care of your vegetable crop can often lead to a low tomato yield. But if you notice your tomato leaves turning white, it's best to immediately determine the cause. Most likely, this problem isn't due to poor care of your tomato seedlings, but to an infestation of dangerous pests or serious diseases. Before buying store-bought insecticides, it's important to determine the cause of your tomato seedlings' white leaves.

Brown spot

While most tomato diseases typically involve whitened leaves as a key symptom, brown spot can lead to a whole host of other problems. Greenhouse-grown tomatoes are particularly susceptible to this disease.

What are the symptoms of a disease called brown spot?

• the inner part of the leaf blade is covered with white fluff;
• Over time, the plaque changes its color, and characteristic dark brown shades appear;
• On the front side of the tomato leaf you can see small yellow spots;
• As a rule, the development of the disease can be stopped in the early stages, but if nothing is done, the tomato leaves will eventually curl, and the plant itself will sooner or later die.

What tomatoes need when it comes to prevention is regular ventilation and reduced humidity. This way, you can prevent serious consequences from this type of disease.

White rot

This disease affects not only tomato leaves but also the plant's stems. White spots gradually appear on the vegetative parts of tomato seedlings, and the stems soften, developing a slimy coating. The plant must be treated immediately, otherwise it will simply wilt. What specifically is recommended?

First of all, it's advisable to remove the infected parts of the plants. Then, it's recommended to treat the cuts with chalk, charcoal, potassium permanganate, or a copper sulfate solution. Bordeaux mixture can be used as a universal remedy for such problems. Experienced farmers spray it on tomato seedlings.

Powdery mildew

If your tomato plants have light-colored leaves, it's quite possible that powdery mildew, an infestation of marsupial fungi, is the cause. How can you recognize this disease? A gray and white coating appears on the underside of the leaf blade. Characteristic yellow spots can also be seen on the upper surface. As a result, the leaves simply begin to dry out if the plant isn't treated promptly.

It's worth noting that it's quite difficult to defeat; it's much easier to resort to basic preventative measures. High humidity and fluctuating moisture levels are the ideal microclimate for powdery mildew, and it's recommended to treat plants with a special preparation during such periods.

Septoria

This fungal disease is quite dangerous for tomato seedlings. Yellowish-brown spots spread across the leaves of the vegetable crop.

The manifestations of this disease can be eliminated using two key steps: pruning already affected areas of plants and then treating the seedlings with a commercially available fungicide.

Late blight

If you grow potatoes in addition to tomatoes, you might encounter this disease one day. It primarily attacks potatoes and only then spreads to tomatoes. How can you tell if tomatoes are infected?

First, brown spots appear on the stems and leaves of the seedlings. Brown, shapeless spots also form under the skin of the fruit. Eventually, the tomato becomes hard and then begins to soften.

This disease can be eliminated using a universal method. Experienced farmers first cut off the affected parts of the seedlings, then treat the remaining bushes with Bordeaux mixture. Take care of your tomato seedlings to ensure a bountiful harvest.

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