Troubleshooting
Striped Roman Tomato problems — and how to fix them
Striped Roman Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Striped Roman') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Blossom-end rot
Elongated paste fruit commonly shows leathery dark bases when watering is erratic; keep moisture even and mulch rather than adding calcium.
Late ripening
Dense-fleshed paste fruit matures slowly; start early and prune to a few strong stems in short-season areas.
Late blight
Brown lesions on leaves, stems and fruit in warm wet spells; improve airflow, avoid wetting foliage and remove infected parts.
Hornworm damage
Large caterpillars strip foliage and bore fruit; hand-pick or treat with Bacillus thuringiensis, checking stems at dusk.
Prevent striped roman tomato problems before they start
Most striped roman tomato issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common tomato problems — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Striped Roman Tomato watering schedule
- Striped Roman Tomato light requirements
- Best soil mix for striped roman tomato
- Striped Roman Tomato temperature & humidity
- Full striped roman tomato care guide
Looking for striped roman tomato in general rather than its problems? Read the full striped roman tomato care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Striped Roman Tomato problems — FAQ
Why is my striped roman tomato blossom-end rot?
Elongated paste fruit commonly shows leathery dark bases when watering is erratic; keep moisture even and mulch rather than adding calcium.
Why is my striped roman tomato late ripening?
Dense-fleshed paste fruit matures slowly; start early and prune to a few strong stems in short-season areas.
Why is my striped roman tomato late blight?
Brown lesions on leaves, stems and fruit in warm wet spells; improve airflow, avoid wetting foliage and remove infected parts.
Why is my striped roman tomato hornworm damage?
Large caterpillars strip foliage and bore fruit; hand-pick or treat with Bacillus thuringiensis, checking stems at dusk.