My tomato plants are wilting even though they have lots of water, so what gives?

Sometimes it's a couple of branches that wilt, but most of the time its the whole plant that wilts.

My tomato plants are wilting even though they have lots of water, so what gives?
It is a virus. Probably fusarium wilt.


I'd just get disease-resistant plants and start again. That's the only bad thing about heirlooms
Reply:cut back on your watering.. overwatering can cause all kinds of problems, including root rot. If the roots aren't working right, the plant will surely stress (wilt) and eventually die.
Reply:Maybe they are to wet. Do they have plenty of sun? Did you give them plant food? There are good vegetable foods/fertilizers to use. Miracle grow have some vegetable plant food that works great.
Reply:I would spray for bugs.You may have spider mites or aphids. They both have that effect on the plants. Over watering will not cause them to "wilt" They may start turning yellow. Get some Ortho Bug Spray for veggies and go at it. Tomato plants DO NOT require lots and lots of water. The soil should be kept moist...this does not require allot of water.
Reply:there could be a mole getting to the root underneath...Something with the soil? Did you use an enriched soil/ manure mix when you planted them ? OR maybe not enough sun? In my region, it has rained everyday of June, my tomatoes are just green, there is not any sun or heat to really get them going. no joke, it has rained every day. Had our pool open since May, never used it yet. Its probably soil, or a critter. Grub worms like tomatoe plants. We insert a long nail next to each tomato plant, supposed to keep away grub worms. Take a plant into a plant nursery... NOT a walmart type store, but a good plant nursery and ask. Im leaning more towards a critter... like a mole, grub worm... ants..
Reply:do not over water you plants for starters. a little sprinkle a day but not soaking. also go to you local garden store and buy plant food for tomatoes only. you can get one that you will have to mix with water. make sure when you give it the food to help it grow you have not watered you plant yet. also water in the late afternoon so the sun does not burn your plants from the food you give it. makes sure you put near the roots. my father-in-law does that and his plants are over 12 foot tall. he has over 30 tomatoes growing right now and they are larger than normal. he does not water every day either. do not water is you know you are going to have rain. i would water maybe 3 times a week. you can make a small hole near your plant and put your finger in to test the moisture of you soil. that can help you determine when to water and help you not over water. make sure do not over fertilize your plant either. any fertilizer should be put on your plants as the sun is going down it will keep them from burning and turning brown. good luck.
Reply:It looks like you have already gotten some good advice. Good luck in figuring out what will work best.


I have grown tomatoes for several years. I found through experience that over watering will make your plants wilt. When you over water your plants can die of root rot or they do not produce many tomatoes since they are putting all their energy into growing the plant.


Since you don't say where you live it may be a little difficult to be exact. I would ask some of my friends or neighbors that have tomatoes how ofter then water. You can also call a local nursery. Otherwise check the soil everyday by sticking your finger about an inch down in the ground next to the plant. If it feels dry you can give it a little water. Do not soak it. You'll figure it out.


Also and this is very important. Water your plants at ground level. Tomato plants do not do well when you water their leaves, especially in the evening. When water sits on the leaves overnight they tend to get moldy. The best time to water is early in the morning.


Also, are you pinching off the new growth on each plant at it's base. If you don't keep the suckers pinched off your plant it can begin to wilt and won't produce as much fruit.


If you have good soil you won't need to fertilize. If you planted tomatoes or other produce in the same place last year you should use a fertilizer made for tomatoes and other produce.


Hope this helps.
Reply:Tomato plants grow best when they get lots of water, and lots and lots of sun. Also they want to be away from any trees or buildings which may shade them, and they like to be pretty far apart from each other and other garden plants. . Maybe your soil isn't giving the plants adequate drainage? It could be root-rot or a disease in the plant such as vascular wilt, or a stalk borer has gotten into the plant.
Reply:u might be over watering them maybe who knows
Reply:I see you've gotten lots and lots of advice. Some of it good. Tomatoes like water but don't like "wet feet". Excessive water around the roots replaces the oxygen in the soil and the roots can't breath. I disagree on just a little water every day. Water well and often but try to keep the water off the plant itself and don't water until the ground is muddy. I'm not big on Miracle Grow. It will help you produce but leaves a high salt content in the soil that will trouble you after just a few years. It is also the most expensive way to fertilize that I know of.





For now, I'd advise stop watering unless the soil is dry and see what happens. Don't fertilize right now. Next year, make sure you buy disease resistant plants, put a little Osmocote in the hole when you plant your tomatoes, plant deeply, water well. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Good luck.