Tomato blight, a fungal infection called Phytophthora infestans, spreads by wind and water-splash. It also attacks potatoes, and is triggered by warm, wet conditions, making outdoor tomatoes more susceptible than those in a greenhouse. The crop is quickly ruined, and even if it's immediately picked you can't stop the tomatoes rotting.
Solution
Organic
Remove blight-infected plants as soon as they are identified, to prevent spread to other plants.
Chemical
Carry out repeated, preventative spraying the moment the first batch of tomatoes starts to set. Use fungicide containing mancozeb or copper. They don't provide 100 per cent protection, but an attack will be slowed down and you should get ripe tomatoes.
Comments and rating
Overall rating (from 2 ratings):
5 out of 5
very useful info - thanx
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didnt find an answer to the question as to whether the tomato blight area of last year has to wait 7 years before being planted again
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On Friday's Gardeners World, Joe Swift talked to a fellow allotment holder who sprayed his tomatoes against blight with potassium sulphate and lime. No more details - can anyone enlighten PLEASE? Lost all mine overnight!
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regarding tomato blight, I have just lost all mine this week for the third year in a row. First two years in the greenhouse, this year outside. Perhaps the seven year rule is correct. Any ideas? Have taken the usual precautions with cleanliness etc.
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I grow my tomtoes in deep pots, as yet I haven't had tomato blight I think useing fresh soil and not growing them near potato's helps, my friends had blight last year and again this year they are on an allotment so maybe it is easier to manage in the garden.
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I'd like to know if I can dispose of plants with tomato blight in our green bin which is collected by the council for composting. If I can't how do I dispose of them as I'm unable to have a bonfire to burn them?
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3rd year in a row, and I have blight on my toms again... just as the fruit were starting too appear as well. Not a happy bunny at all.
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sedwards rated and commented on this article
29 January 2009
3 out of 5
I have been informed that once I have had this tomato infection I cannot grow tomatoes for seven years, is this true?
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