Question
I have grown about 18 tomatos from seed and they are very large and strong.  However, they are beginning to show signs of disease.  My garden is very clean, weed free, and mulched well with grass clippings.  I suspect some type of virus, or wilt, as the leaves on some are beginning to curl up, and some have begun to show splotchy blackness on them.  I've read that in order to get rid of Vermicillian Wilt and other tomato viruses, it is necessary to cover the garden for a season with black plastic and allow the soil to super heat in order to kill all viruses.  Is there an alternative? All the varieties are hybrids that are supposed to be resistant to these diseases. I live in southeastern Virginia.
Thanks for any help you can give!


Answer
Dear Andy;
Have you grown tomatoes in this garden many years? These viruses can stay in soil forever . That is why they have to use soilless culture. When the water are not even the leave may curl. Do you see plant wilt? What position of the plant leaves showing the sign? If it is only at the bottom then take them off. However, if there is an extention station in your county send some samples to let them check what disease your tomato got.

Thank you.

Wenwei Jia