I just moved to Florida this summer and in late July was finally able to begin my first ever container vegetable garden. I bought one tomato plant, an eggplant, and two bell pepper plants. Three of them have done well (though the eggplant has yet to produce more than flowers), but my poor tomato plant has been fighting for life since day one. I believe my first mistake was buying a plant from Wal-Mart, but it was too late (I figured) in the season to start from seed, so I went with what I could get. The poor thing has had brown spots, aphids, and a sad little spread of leaves in its entire life. Several flowers, but only ONE tomato. I was so excited to see this little tomato growing. It grew to a decent size and I started getting excited for it to turn red so I could once again remember what tomatoes were *supposed* to taste like.
But one morning I stepped outside to see all the leaves gone from the top of the tomato plant. I figured some herbivore had gotten to it. The next day I stepped outside to survey the damage again and check my lonely little green tomato when I saw, mere inches from my face:
He had already eaten part way through my tomato! What a sad, sad day. I doubt my little plant will produce a tomato by the time the season is over. It fought valiantly, but with its sickness, was no match for the caterpillar. I’ll keep it watered and fed and an ever watchful eye for blooms turning into fruit, but my hopes are dashed.
Next year, I’ll be planting in the ground and starting my little food-bearers from seed… and not from Wal-Mart. Better luck next year, eh?
