Many people growing tomatoes in pots might encounter this situation: the fruit hasn’t fully matured, but the plant starts wilting and slowly withers away, which can be quite worrying. In fact, whether the tomato plant can still survive and how to handle it depends on several factors, so let’s discuss this in detail.
First, carefully inspect the plant. Gently remove some soil from the pot to check the root system. If part of the roots is still white or light yellow and feels firm, but some roots are blackened and rotten, there’s still a chance to save the plant. However, if all the roots are black and mushy with no firmness, and the stem has softened or rotted, the plant is unlikely to recover.
Next, take appropriate actions based on the cause. If the plant wilted due to lack of water and the soil is dry and hard, quickly add water. Move the pot to a shaded, well-ventilated area and spray water onto the leaves to prevent further drying. Once the leaves improve slightly, gradually water the soil until it is thoroughly moistened. Be careful not to pour too much water at once, as this could shock the roots. Keep the soil slightly moist going forward and avoid letting it dry out again.
If the plant is wilting due to overwatering, causing waterlogging and root rot, stop watering immediately. Take the plant out of the pot, gently shake off the soil, and trim away the rotting roots with scissors. After trimming, soak the roots in a fungicide solution for 10 to 15 minutes to disinfect them. Once the roots dry out, repot the plant. Use well-draining soil that is breathable, and avoid compacting the soil too much when repotting. Place the pot in a cool, ventilated area to help the plant recover. Do not water immediately; wait until the plant shows signs of recovery before watering normally.
If pests or diseases are the cause of wilting, identify the specific issue. If aphids, red spiders, or other pests are on the leaves, you can spray the leaves with soapy water or diluted insecticide to control them. For root rot or wilt diseases, in addition to trimming and disinfecting the rotten roots, apply a fungicide to the soil and spray foliar fertilizer on the leaves to strengthen the plant's disease resistance.
Another possibility is that the soil is unsuitable, such as being compacted or too saline/alkaline, which prevents the roots from absorbing nutrients and water properly, leading to wilting. In this case, change the soil. Choose loose, fertile, and well-draining humus or garden soil, mixing in some sand. When changing the soil, also check and trim any damaged roots, disinfect them, and then repot the plant.
After taking these steps, if the plant starts growing new shoots and leaves within one or two weeks, it means the plant has survived. If the plant continues to wither and no new growth appears, it is unlikely to recover. In this case, consider starting with new tomato seedlings.
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