Hello,
four of my tomato plants growing indoors under a light have died off and I am confused about the symptoms. Any help with diagnosing the problem would be greatly appreciated.
At first I noticed some of the leaves drooping on one of the plants. I was also having a massive fungus gnat infestation, so I was certain they were the cause of the issue, inhibiting water uptake. But after reducing their numbers to a more manageable population the problems didn't go away.
Instead I noticed further signs, like leaves curling (upwards and downwards), so after some googling I thought it must be a viral issue. I should notice, that the growing space is quite small, with leaves touching each other. I also handled the plants with my bare hands from time to time. The soil used is from a commercial brand.
Lastly I also noticed some weird spotting on the stem, also making me consider a fungal or bacterial cause.
Here are some pictures:
![36A9F397-2EEC-42AE-9A39-AA8B44F916A9.jpeg 36A9F397-2EEC-42AE-9A39-AA8B44F916A9.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87542-f72ea40e02c37a15e11ce8417830cf15.jpg)
![CC955648-F0B2-4F5C-A841-D241528F3B04.jpeg CC955648-F0B2-4F5C-A841-D241528F3B04.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87543-0f95bbe98581b26f2ec70b05388e74a1.jpg)
![306BFEDE-B778-4EFD-B71D-FC8C20C58657.jpeg 306BFEDE-B778-4EFD-B71D-FC8C20C58657.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87540-8281426e0886731765f1c3779727d7e2.jpg)
![EF444772-B624-403E-9E87-84773C4EAFAE.jpeg EF444772-B624-403E-9E87-84773C4EAFAE.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87544-37a2701237fd9ea497e8d5e8866ba5bb.jpg)
![D2CDBC6C-02C6-478A-B961-0FDEDDA64C23.jpeg D2CDBC6C-02C6-478A-B961-0FDEDDA64C23.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87545-514f50c9203369d4b8a184e9fd0db228.jpg)
Leaf undersides Leaf tops Stem Stem Cross sections of stems
Really I would like to know, how to prevent this from happening again.
Can I grow again in the same space?
Can I reuse the containers if cleaned and disinfected with alcohol?
Can I use the same type of soil if heat treated? Or, if I use different soil, may the gnats function as a disease vector from the remaining containers in the growing space?
Thank you for reading!
four of my tomato plants growing indoors under a light have died off and I am confused about the symptoms. Any help with diagnosing the problem would be greatly appreciated.
At first I noticed some of the leaves drooping on one of the plants. I was also having a massive fungus gnat infestation, so I was certain they were the cause of the issue, inhibiting water uptake. But after reducing their numbers to a more manageable population the problems didn't go away.
Instead I noticed further signs, like leaves curling (upwards and downwards), so after some googling I thought it must be a viral issue. I should notice, that the growing space is quite small, with leaves touching each other. I also handled the plants with my bare hands from time to time. The soil used is from a commercial brand.
Lastly I also noticed some weird spotting on the stem, also making me consider a fungal or bacterial cause.
Here are some pictures:
![36A9F397-2EEC-42AE-9A39-AA8B44F916A9.jpeg 36A9F397-2EEC-42AE-9A39-AA8B44F916A9.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87542-f72ea40e02c37a15e11ce8417830cf15.jpg)
![CC955648-F0B2-4F5C-A841-D241528F3B04.jpeg CC955648-F0B2-4F5C-A841-D241528F3B04.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87543-0f95bbe98581b26f2ec70b05388e74a1.jpg)
![306BFEDE-B778-4EFD-B71D-FC8C20C58657.jpeg 306BFEDE-B778-4EFD-B71D-FC8C20C58657.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87540-8281426e0886731765f1c3779727d7e2.jpg)
![EF444772-B624-403E-9E87-84773C4EAFAE.jpeg EF444772-B624-403E-9E87-84773C4EAFAE.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87544-37a2701237fd9ea497e8d5e8866ba5bb.jpg)
![D2CDBC6C-02C6-478A-B961-0FDEDDA64C23.jpeg D2CDBC6C-02C6-478A-B961-0FDEDDA64C23.jpeg](https://www.gardening-forums.com/data/attachments/87/87545-514f50c9203369d4b8a184e9fd0db228.jpg)
Leaf undersides Leaf tops Stem Stem Cross sections of stems
Really I would like to know, how to prevent this from happening again.
Can I grow again in the same space?
Can I reuse the containers if cleaned and disinfected with alcohol?
Can I use the same type of soil if heat treated? Or, if I use different soil, may the gnats function as a disease vector from the remaining containers in the growing space?
Thank you for reading!