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Wilting
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 12:25 pm
by Labradors
Two days ago we had torrential rain. Yesterday it drizzled all day. Temps around 70F Today is over 80F and the sun is out. Several of my plants have wilted leaves at the end of the stems. Orange Minsk looks dreadful because the whole plant looks wilted. What could the problem be?
Re: Wilting
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 1:42 pm
by Seven Bends
Did you have a string of cool, cloudy days before this sunny, 80 degree day? Is it possible the plants are just stressed by the sudden appearance of the sun?
Bacterial wilt can cause abrupt wilting of the youngest leaves on a plant (ends of branches & top of plant), but I'm guessing what you're seeing might just be a weather reaction. Is it feasible to shade them for a day or two to help them recover?
Re: Wilting
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 2:14 pm
by Labradors
Thanks very much Seven Bends. I'll see if I can find something to cover them with. Hoping it's just shock and not B. Wilt!
Re: Wilting
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 5:14 pm
by TomatoNut95
Sounds like shock to me. Mine did that the day after the hurricane Beryl went over.
Re: Wilting
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 6:01 pm
by bower
Sun wilting is really common here. We get these long bouts of overcast weather and... yep, they're shocked by the yellow thing.
They'll also curl their top leaves on a dark day, once they're used to sunshine, just like they do at night.
Re: Wilting
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:16 am
by Labradors
Many thanks for the insight TomatoNut95 and Bower. Orange Minsk looks a lot happier this morning. I gave it a drink last night. The are covered in a black plastic mulch, so all that rain could only be absorbed by the leaves. It's going to be another hot sunny day today, so we shall see.
Re: Wilting
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 2:35 pm
by bower
Our weather has been running hot @Labradors and I was shocked to discover how quickly the ground went dry, really to quite a depth, in spite of really recent record rainfalls through the first days of July.
I've taken to watering the tomatoes (which are in pots) a second time per day if I see them wilting badly and temperatures over 90F. I was surprised how well it perked them up, and I think they're setting better than I expected for the weather. It's not close to harvest for most of them since I started late, so I can hope that I don't need to overwater when that time comes.