New Tomato Problem: Fusarium Wilt in Containers

Symptoms — yellowing lower leaves, dark embedded stem patches, stems becoming loose/rotten — strongly indicate fusarium wilt or similar fungal disease. No cure exists at this stage.

Required Actions

• Destroy infected plant and soil (don't compost)
• Sterilize pots: scrub with stiff brush, soak in bleach solution
• Solarize old soil in black plastic bags for a month if reusing
• Fungus affects nightshades (tomatoes, peppers) — basil is safe

Disease Mechanics

Dark patches are fungal rot traveling up vascular tissue (water-conducting pathways). Spores are soil-borne, not airborne — they won't jump between separated containers.

Prevention Forward

Plant only disease-resistant hybrids, rotate containers annually, use fresh sterile mix each season.