Purple Tomato Leaves and Stems: Problem, Fix & Don't Worry -TRG 2015

Some purpling on the lower stem and on the undersides of leaves on new plants is perfectly normal and okay. Deeper purple stems up the entire stem or purple veining leaves in older transplants can be an issue. A well balanced NPK liquid fertilizer at 1/2 strength and some Epsom Salts will fix your plant and restore the green.

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[Praxxus]

Right when you said that the tomato plants were just for the sake of science I thought I heard tiny tomato gasps and some crying. Possibly it wasn't the tomatoes. It could have been me. Not sure. But in all seriousness this is fascinating info. I had no clue about this color thing with tomato plants. Thank you Gary. :)

[JimGriffOne]

Purple veins and underside of the leaves shows a Phosphorus deficiency. I prime the soil with a Fish, Blood and Bone meal blend (which tends to be higher in Phosphorus than Nitrogen and Potassium). I also prime with Lime and some Magnesium Sulphate. Never had any more issues with purple leaves, blossom end rot, etc. The only issue is massive leaves that stick out very far and HUGE tomatoes that weigh down the branches! :)

[raggy]

I’m so glad I’ve found your channel! The best part is when you say in your videos “don’t worry.” I always do but this is so helpful, thank you. 🌱💕

[DeluxeSlayer]

Thank you so much! I have been looking all over the internet trying to find what was wrong with my seedlings and I finally found the answer because of your video. Very helpful!

[Rosabel]

I have been following you since 2015. Thank you for your Master Class method of sharing! I have learned much from your channel.

[rachelquintero]

my husband planted some tomatoe plants for me. He knows how i absolutely love a home grown tomato. Thanks for your video it is very helpful. His plants are turning Purple underneath and we were wondering why. You explain it well. Here in California, "crop central" all the tomatoes are in the ground already all over the sure know what their doing. Their always beautiful and loaded with harvested green and some red. Fried green tomatoes are the absolute bomb !

[TheEmptynester]

They look very vibrant even with he purple. It's not much longer and they can go in the ground. Spring is coming in fast this year. Best wishes to you. E

[Larryd]

Thanks for the tip I have this problem this year. I bought a no name brand potting soil. You get what you pay for.

[condeerogers]

Thanks for the info. I Googled this problem and your video showed up. Funny thing though. I have already subscribed to your channel and I must have missed this video. Thanks again. I tried what you said and it took care of the problem.

[denniscruz]

i have that purple look so i used fish fertilizer 5-1-1 1 tbs for 1/2 gallon water which is half strength. how long should i wait to see any results if not can I use epson salt for the next watering

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

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[mydailyreward]

How long will it take after you start a half strength fertilizer for the purple to go away?

[onthebalconywithkat]

Some tomatoes are supposed to have that coloring, Cherokee Purple tomatoes are supposed to have not just purple tomatoes, but the leaves and stems are supposed to look just like your mystery tomato there. If you assume that the coloration is due to some kind of lack but it's not everything you add to it could just wind up stressing the plant or even killing it.

[ElderandOakFarm]

Hey Gary, I have been growing tomatoes from seed without fail for over 10 years, but for the past 2 years, I have had an issue with their leaves falling off & they have like a bumpy-ness on some spots of the stem, that turns whitish. They're also a little purple (but they've done that before without the other 2 symptoms) someone said in a video (I think it was Nicole at Flower Hill Farm) that it could be a humidity issue. (Too much) I do live in Southern Indiana, & we have a lot of humidity & rain here, & I'm growing them in my grow closet... I have fans & a door I keep open... any ideas on what could be the issue? I thought it was a disease last year because the leaves on a couple looked like tobacco mosaic virus because a couple of the leaves were a bit curly on some of them...

[amyjones]

Very informative video. My tomato plants really turned purple after I planted them in the garden. I've given them epsom salt, gardening chalk with added magnesium, but they are still purple. Some have shown improvement after I gave them more Epsom salt and chalk a few days ago. Do I give them lots of Epsom salt or chalk until the purple goes away or is that just how they look now?

[elenafalconsseedlaboratory]

Hi Gary! Thanks so much for all your awesome advice and expertise...! When you have this purple leaf issue, is it basically you feed, watch to see the recovery to green, and if it's not coming along after a few days, you feed again? I think maybe some of my tomato seedlings may now have some root damage and can't uptake the phosphorus, while some others are starting to return to a healthy green.

[crudeu]

Wow! How do you get the stems/stalk to be so thick?

[fatewepon]

I have maybe 4 week old seedling started under a grow light and I’ve been having purple color on the underside of my tomato plant and some of the tips have been drying. Also noticed a lighter green foliage on the new growth, i gave it so fertiliser but doesn’t seem to do the trick.

[jude]

Hi Gary, I might have missed it but did you say how often to spray with Epsom salt?
Also, do you do it in the morning or in the evening?

[stellastefanova]

Hi Gary. I have a question...
My tomatoes went through some harsh weather I planted them outside a bit early. I covered them with plastic but some of the plants have wilted top leaves. The stems look just fine. Do you think these plants will survive and what can I do to give them a better chance?


Thanks,


Stella