Tomatoes - Blossom end rot

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by cr1tical, Aug 25, 2010.

  1. cr1tical

    cr1tical Gardener

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    An earlier thread suggested that once your toms get BER, that's it and there's nothing you can do. But how does one stop it occurring in the first place?
     
  2. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

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    Someone on the GQT panel mentioned that it was an issue with calcium uptake.
     
  3. Pete02

    Pete02 Gardener

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    Blossom end rot is indeed caused by lack of calcium, keeping the soil
    or compost moist at all times reduces it considerably, I found only two
    affected fruits on my plants this year.

    Pete
     
  4. andrewh

    andrewh Gardener

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    Proper watering is the key.

    Most soils / composts should have enough calcium, especially if you are feeding, but the plants can't take it up if they are being watered too much, too little, or irregularly.
     
  5. cr1tical

    cr1tical Gardener

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    Thanks both - is there a calcium additive one could apply (as well as keeping the soil moist) (I should have said I grow in pots in a greenhouse).
     
  6. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I'm not sure plant feeds contain calcium.

    I'd just add some lime to the watering can for one time only.
     
  7. andrewh

    andrewh Gardener

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    You can get foliar calcium feeds for a quick fix, I believe? Or did I imagine that?

    I never bother. Water properly, and it's never a problem!
     
  8. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    It depends what you're growing them in, I always found it a problem in grow bags, you cant water them properly and the roots tend to cook.

    True its not ideal to be adding lime at this late stage, but it might help.:)
     
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