Twisted Tomato Leaves: Flea Beetles? No — Water & Fertilizer Issues

Tomato leaves twisting, curling, purplish. Flea beetles seen. Asks if beetles cause it.

Not Flea Beetles

• Flea beetles = tiny shot‑holes in leaves.
• Twist/curl + purple = **phosphorus deficiency** (cool soil) or **overwatering/overfertilizing**.

Likely Causes

1. Cool soil → P uptake blocked → purple. Warms up → resolves.
2. Too much water → root saturation → nutrient lockout.
3. Too much fertilizer → root burn → same symptoms.

Fix

• Sidedress with compost/humus.
• Water 1"/week (more if >85°F).
• No fertilizer until 2 ft tall, then ½ strength every 2 weeks.

Soil test confirms P deficiency.