There appears to be a drastic epidemic of what's called "late blight" on tomato plants occuring from Maine to New York and down into South Carolina due weather conditions incurred this year. Late blight IS a FUNGAL infection: first symptoms of the disease are irregular greenish black, water-soaked patches on the older leaves that may spread rapidly. In moderately wet, warm weather, it may appear as a white, downy growth of the fungus on the undersides of leaf surfaces, can spread quickly over the entire plant giving it an almost frosted look. Affected areas on fruits (that be attacked at any stage of developemnt) are large, usually dark colored, firm, and have a rough surface. This devastating disease may also be found on POTATOES, and it's thought..in some cases..that's where the fungal infection may have started, or was simply "blown in" from other regions. Late blight is basically found east of the Mississippi and along the Pacific Coast where high humidty, wet conditions with cool nights (40-60 degrees) and warm days (70-80 degrees) exist. IF these symptoms appear on plants, it's being highly recommended (by the University of Connecticut) they be removed from the garden and destroyed immediately to avoid further spreading to non-infected plants, areas. There are sprays on the market, containing copper, that are helpful in deterring the situation, but its become so widespread, at present, even some commercial growers are irradicating infected plants from their fields rather than try fighting an expensive, losing cause. Is truely a sad case scenario, and unless Mother Nature decides to "lighten up" on constant rains, and other ideal conditions for this fungal infection to thrive, there will be great loses in regards to home-grown tomatoes this year! Is now hoped the East Coast potato crops aren't also "attacked" as it CAN spread from tomatoes to those as well in a vice-wersa pattern. I DO HOPE this answers some of the questions on tomatoes I've been seeing, from the East Coast, in the veggie forum recently. If anyone even THINKS they have late blight in plants, please DO take a sample in to your local Agricultural agent ASAP for proper indentification of problem! May be nothing too serious, BUT MAY BE this fast spreading fungal infection. Tis better to be safe then sorry!!!
