Septoria

from Wikipedia: Septoria: Ascomycete pycnidia-producing fungi that causes numerous leaf spot diseases on field crops, forages and many vegetables, and is responsible for yield losses.

from the Cornell department of plant pathology: Following spread, spores may germinate within 48 hr under moist conditions and favorable temperatures. Leaf spots can appear within 5 days.

Last evening, as I loaded up a tray with the remaining potted tomato seedlings, I noticed spots on them. I did a check of the planted tomatoes. The one hanging from the porch had more spots, and the ones in the ground had fewer. But all had some. It was classic Septoria.

The plants were stressed from transplant and had been root-bound in their peat pots. Then they were alternately watered and rained on, allowing dirt to splash their leaves and then several days of overcast skies prevented the leaves from drying well.

The only treatment is amputation. The seedlings still unplanted fared worst. They had been the smallest, weakest plants anyway. That's why they were still unplanted.

But even some of the plants in my beds look rather poodled.

A couple of the smaller seedlings were totally compromised and had to be taken out.

I spent the rest of the day in purchasing some straw and weaving it around the tomatoes (and other plants). This stops the rain from splashing dirt (and fungal spores) up onto the leaves. I had always planned on doing this. The rain coming right after transplanting was unfortunate.