My garden had been doing very well this year. We have gotten the right amount of rain, warm, sunny days, and the plants were growing quickly. However, when I took a trip out to check my tomato plants last week, I discovered the dread of every tomato gardener: blight.
What causes blight?
What is blight exactly? Blight is basically a fungal infection. Theories abound on what actually causes the plant disease. Some say that soil which is nutrient-deficient creates a breeding ground for blight. Others say that a lack of lime is the problem. Finally, many successful gardeners insist that the fungus is bred by heavy rain fall, mixed with humidity and certain soil conditions. Regardless of the exact cause, blight can be detrimental to your crop.
How is blight identified?
Blight can be difficult to spot at first, which in turn may allow the disease to spread and possibly cause significant damage before it is treated. Conscientious gardeners notice blight in its early stages: when small black or brown circles begin to form on the lower leaves of the plant. The spot usually consists of a dark outer ring with a lighter center. As blight spreads, the number of spots multiply and the leaves begin to turn yellow. The fungus moves up the plant, damaging the leaves in its path.
What harm does blight cause?
Blight can completely destroy your tomato crop. If you do not attempt to treat it, your plants may not form fruit or even flower effectively. If you discover blight, you must attempt to treat it.
How is blight treated?
The first step in stemming the spread of blight is to remove all of the damaged leaves. This is a painful process, but it must be done in order to keep the disease from spreading. Wash your hands in between plants so as to keep from spreading blight to healthy plants or leaves. Dispose of infected leaves away from your garden. Blight lives in the ground, and by leaving infected leaves on the soil you will be furthering the spread. You will also need to plant your tomatoes in a different location for the next few years, as blight will continue to be present in the soil.
Next, you must purchase a fungicide that will halt the spread of the blight. Organic growers choose a natural, copper solution, though many other products are on the market. Visit your local garden center, nursery or hardware store to find a fungicide which targets blight on tomatoes. Generally, you will need to dilute the product in water and use a spray bottle to apply it thoroughly to the entire plant. Spray until the plant’s leaves are dripping with the solution. Though you should always read the directions carefully, you will probably be instructed to apply it once a week and after rains.
After you begin spray-treating your tomato plants, continue to check for the spread of blight and remove damaged leaves. Though this process is tedious, it is the only way of minimizing the damage to your plants and encouraging as much tomato-production as possible.
