Half my tomato plants are crazy wilted.

[Wiflat]

Half my plants look horrible. They are watered everyday. It’s been hot but they do t bounce back after rain. It seems to be spreading. I have given them Jobes steaks and don’t see any bugs on them.

 

[Chuck]

You do not water everyday. You only water a plant when it needs it. When you water you want to saturate the soil down at the root zone. If you just water a couple of quarts everyday you aren't watering and if you are saturating the plant everytime you water you are killing it because of the lack of oxygen at the roots. You cannot give a plant too much water but you will kill a plant by water too often. So, having learned this, when you water give the plant gallons not quarts and don't water again until the plant is wilted in the morning hours. It is normal for a plant to wilt in the heat of the afternoon.

 

[Wiflat]

That makes sense. I have watered them with basically a drip irrigation system. Does it make sense that some would be winter and some not with this if watering is the issue? These plants are all next to each other and in very different states.

 

[Chuck]

That makes sense. I have watered them with basically a drip irrigation system. Does it make sense that some would be winter and some not with this if watering is the issue? These plants are all next to each other and in very different states.

When drip irrigation works properly it is the best system there is but when it doesn't work properly this is what you get. Does your system have emitters or is it just a hole in the tubing. If it has emitters change them. If a hole make sure the hole is clean and if any other type make sure it is working properly. Also, the soil may be compacted at the problem plant or the plant may have encircling roots. It could be any number of things. You will just have to apply extra care to the problem plants but it is not a disease, it is a watering issue.