MOFishin
Senior Member
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 1:33 pm
Location: Central Missouri 6A

Help! Blossom end rot.

Thanks to the internet, I was quickly able to diagnose my tomato problem as blossom end rot. However, most of what I saw on my google search was advice on how to PREVENT it. I need advice on how to stop it mid-season.
Thanks in advance.

PaulF
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Posts: 910
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 5:34 pm
Location: Brownville, Ne

You have most likely read about the cause: inconsistent watering and fluctuating temperatures. Most varieties will grow out of the problem as the year progresses and rainfall and temps stabilize. Some varieties are more prone to BER than others but they also should be OK on the next batch of fruits. As you read, additions to the soil will not stop BER. Time is the best healer. Good Luck.

MOFishin
Senior Member
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 1:33 pm
Location: Central Missouri 6A

Thanks Paul.

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Gary350
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Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:59 pm
Location: TN. 50 years of gardening experience.

Lime and wood ash in the soil when you plant is good to prevent BER. Every 4 weeks feed your plants more of the same.

imafan26
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Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:32 am
Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

Some varieties are more prone to it than others. SIP containers eliminate the problem of uneven watering as long as you keep the reservoir full. Select heat tolerant varieties, they do better and have fewer problems with blossom end rot. Smaller tomatoes also have fewer issues with blossom end rot. If you live in a hot place, shading can help.

MOFishin
Senior Member
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 1:33 pm
Location: Central Missouri 6A

Thanks everyone. I've got some fast acting lime, so I'll see how it works.

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rainbowgardener
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

The reason it can only be prevented is that BER occurs because of the conditions that prevailed when the fruit was set. Once that happens, that fruit is doomed. However, that has nothing to do with what will happen when the next fruit is set, so you just need to change the conditions so that all the future fruit to set will be OK.



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