As a gardener and tomato enthusiast, few things delight me more than harvesting plump, juicy cherry tomatoes fresh from the vine. However, that joy can quickly turn to dismay when those brilliant red beauties are marred by strange tiny black spots. If you’ve noticed these perplexing spots popping up on your cherry tomatoes, don’t fret – you’re not alone. Many tomato growers encounter this pesky issue. While the spots may look harmless, they can potentially indicate some serious problems with your cherished tomato plants. Read on as we demystify the common causes of those tiny black spots on cherry tomatoes and explore what you can do to prevent and treat them.
What’s Causing Those Taunting Tiny Black Spots?
How to solve a garden puzzle: Getting to the bottom of it is half the battle Several common things are likely to be to blame for the small black spots on ripe cherry tomatoes.
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Bacterial canker – Caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis, this destructive disease leads to numerous tiny black spots, often with light centers giving a “bird’s eye” look It can completely decimate a tomato crop if left unchecked
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Early blight – A fungal disease favored by wet, humid conditions. It causes dark leathery spots that can start on leaves and spread to fruits. Spots are typically large and irregular.
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Blossom end rot – Caused by calcium deficiency, this disorder creates sunken black spots on the bottom of tomatoes, known as the blossom end.
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Physiological flecking is a non-infectious disorder that can be caused by too much fertilizer, high or low temperatures, and other things. It leaves little dark spots on the fruit’s skin, but it doesn’t change the quality.
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Damage from bugs—Pests like stink bugs and leaffooted bugs that eat fruit can leave dark spots where they eat through the skin.
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Sunscald – Exposure to intense sunlight can cause blistering and scabby black spots on exposed tomato fruits.
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Mechanical damage – Impacts, scrapes, or cuts from wind, hail, lawn mowers, etc allow fungi and bacteria to invade, resulting in black spots.
Accurate Diagnosis Is Key
If you have tiny black spots on your desired cherry tomato crop, you need to correctly identify the cause in order to take the right steps:
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Bacterial canker – Numerous tiny black spots with light centers scattered on fruits point to this destructive disease. Swift removal of affected plants is needed to protect remaining tomatoes.
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Early blight – Look for the characteristic dark, enlarging lesions with concentric rings mostly on leaves but also fruits. Resistant varieties and fungicides can help control it.
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Blossom end rot – The telltale sunken black spots on the bottom of fruits signals a calcium deficiency. Boost calcium and maintain even soil moisture.
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Physiological flecking – Harmless tiny dark speckles that worsen with overfeeding. Don’t overdo the fertilizer.
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Insect damage – Look for bugs! Control tomato pests with organic or conventional insecticides.
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Sunscald – Sunken black blisters on exposed fruits. Prevent by providing afternoon shade.
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Mechanical injury – Cracks, scrapes and bruises allow decay fungi to move in. Handle fruits gently.
Battling Tiny Black Spots: Prevention and Treatment
While some causes of tiny black spots on cherry tomatoes can’t be prevented, proactive care will help avoid many issues:
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Choose disease-resistant varieties when possible. Prioritize resistance to fungal diseases like early blight.
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Rotate planting sites each year to reduce pathogen levels in soil.
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Stake or cage plants to improve airflow and reduce fungal issues.
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Avoid overhead watering which spreads pathogens – use drip irrigation or direct water to soil.
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Apply organic mulch to prevent soil from splashing onto leaves and fruits during watering.
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Scout for diseased or insect damaged leaves/fruits and remove promptly.
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Have soil tested and fertilize carefully based on recommendations.
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In intense sunlight, use row covers or shading fabrics to prevent sunscald.
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Handle fruits with care to avoid bruising delicate skin and flesh.
With attentive prevention and early detection, those tiny black spots don’t stand a chance against your cherry tomato greatness. Don’t let a few blemishes stop you from enjoying the sweet harvests these plants provide. Stay vigilant and be proactive, and you’ll master those tiny black spots in no time!
Start With a Clean Garden
Dispose of all affected plants. The fungus can live through the winter on the dead parts of sick plants, so it’s important to get rid of all the sick plants away from the garden and compost pile. Keep in mind that it may have spread to your potatoes and eggplants, too. Cage tomatoes (disinfect cages yearly) to prevent leaves from touching the ground or other plants.
How to Treat Septoria Leaf Spot
There are a few options for treating Septoria leaf spot when it appears; these include:
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FAQ
Is it safe to eat tomatoes with tiny black spots?
Although the spot itself may not be a potential food safety problem, a blemish or crack can certainly allow for potential pathogens to enter the produce and …Oct 17, 2023.
What are the spots on my cherry tomatoes?
Quickly distinguishing between types of brown spots is crucial. Rusty spots are often a sign of not getting enough nutrients, while dark rings around round sores are a sure sign of a fungal invasion. Spots with a water-soaked look suggest bacterial issues, whereas dry spots could be environmental stress.
Are tomatoes with bacterial speck safe to eat?
One last point – if you do end up seeing spots on the tomatoes it is recommended that you not eat these. The two bacteria that cause leaf spot or leaf speck don’t make people sick, but the holes they make in tomato skin could let human pathogens into the fruit.
Why are my cherry tomatoes speckled?
The blotchy ripening (that’s what it is called) on the fruit is caused by the loss of leaves and fruit getting too much sun. The plant is stressed and the excess sun causes it to happen. Keeping healthy leaves on the plant can prevent this.