Thrips are killing my Mortgage Lifters

[Ginger2778]

There are also some aphids. When it rains it pours. And hitting the plants with water does nothing to help either

I don't see any thrips at all. Those are aphids and aphid mummies where the aphid has shed it's skin in molting. Your insecticides should work perfectly, as will a strong hose water spray. The hose is super fast, seconds really. Make sure you get under the leaves and down the stems too.This is for sure not theend of the world.
I see others have already said same, I'm just reaffirming.

[EdieJ]

They're already too far gone. All the leaves were brown by yesterday before the Surround I ordered can get here. We live in a very remote rural area, there are not any stores within decent driving distance that carry anything but Daconil and Neem Oil. Neither of those worked.

[MissS]

Tomatoes are very resilient. They just might surprise you and come back from the base or even send out new shoots from the leaf nodes. Don't give up quite yet. Give them a couple of weeks.

Somehow Murphy's law works in the garden every time that you have something special to grow. We are gardeners and we persevere.

[EdieJ]

I just cut 3 growing tips that are not brown. I checked over the plants, in spite of everything I've sprayed they are still full of aphids. We are going to pull them up and burn them. It is early enough in the season that hopefully the tips I cut will root and be able to produce something. OMG I just found a handful of those d*mned aphids crawling on me. Never ever ever have I had anything like this before. I have other types of tomato plants on the other side of the house that so far are not affected and as soon as the Surround gets here I am spraying the heck out of them to try to keep it that way.

[Ginger2778]

Edie, just hose em down, it's fast and really effective. Repeat as needed. Takes seconds.
All the soaps and sprays can cause them to turn brown.

[EdieJ]

OK thanks Marsha, I will try again. I am just in tears over this. I took the 3 growing tips I cut and fully submerged them in the water cup for maybe 5 minutes and got about a dozen "floaters" that I disposed of and then fully examined each stem and there were still a few hanging on that I smushed.

[EdieJ]

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Here are pictures. Note that we keep trimming and spraying and can't keep up with the damage. I know the 2 in the 1 tub are too many. If I cut one down, will the other pull through, do you think?

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The last pictures are the ones hardest hit by the aphids.

[Ginger2778]

20200607_102318.jpg

Here are pictures. Note that we keep trimming and spraying and can't keep up with the damage. I know the 2 in the 1 tub are too many. If I cut one down, will the other pull through, do you think? 20200607_102320.jpg
20200607_102553.jpg
20200607_102612.jpg
20200607_102616.jpg
20200607_102620.jpg

The last pictures are the ones hardest hit by the aphids.

They all look like they'll pull through and bounce back if you just give them the chance.. Make sure they have fertilizer(don't overdo the fert), arent too wet and just keep treating the aphids with hose down. Above all, stop panicking, it's causing you to overreact, and the poor plants aren't getting a chance to recover. Only hose off under and over the leaves, and down the stem to the soil line. Repeat every 4 days, feed moderately, dont soak the soil, only trim off yellowed or brown leaves, and then only severely discolored ones, and give them a chance! Breathe!

[EdieJ]

I think it it was anything but my ML's I wouldn't be in such a panic. We have yet to get one blossom to set a tomato. They look good for a few days then the stems get what looks like a tiny cut and turns yellow then the blossom falls. Don't know if that's pest or disease causing it.

[Ginger2778]

I think it it was anything but my ML's I wouldn't be in such a panic. We have yet to get one blossom to set a tomato. They look good for a few days then the stems get what looks like a tiny cut and turns yellow then the blossom falls. Don't know if that's pest or disease causing it.

Could the temperature still be too hot? Is your overnight temp below 72F? That'll drop blossoms in a heartbeat. Aphids usually don't stop fruit set, but can if the infestation is heavy enough. Sprays and soaps and oils can definitely cause blossoms to drop. I always tell folks to avoid spraying the blossoms as much as you can.
Give them a chance, and just treat with strong hose water blast. It works! And it's safe!
And I bet I'll have seeds of your Estler's ML in January. I've got your back!

[EdieJ]

"And I bet I'll have seeds of your Estler's ML in January. I've got your back!"
And I truly appreciate that!

[bjbebs]

Don't fret about it Edie. You gave seeds to many of us. As Marsha said, we have you covered. Forget about more chemical or soap. A medium strong spray of water will knock them down. If you can allow the soil to dry out between hose downs might be helpful too.

My brother is just East of you in Atlanta. I help put his garden in most years. It's taken him many years to figure out how much more healthy his tomatoes are if allowed to dry out between waterings.

[MissS]

For aphids, don't pull those plants. Go get some Hartz Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs. Spray the plants with a mix of about 1-2 T per gallon. Wait 10 minutes and then rinse off. Repeat in 3 days.