11 replies to this topic

[Mr Del]

I have lots of green tomatoes growing on my plants. Problem is that when they start turning red the bottom of each tomato turn a very brownish black. Every one. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help, if you can!!Murph.

[BullsEye]

At least you have some tomatoes. Mine are rotting at the buds. I need to kill the pesky insects. From the sounds of it you might have some sort of fungus? Good luck with your veggies.

[ShooterJohn]

It's called blossom end rot. It can be caused by inconsistent watering and also a lack of calcium in the soil. Mostly it's the watering I've found. Water throughly and deeply and don't water from above.

[Mr Del]

Thanks guys..... The way I water all my plants is this method. I have large coffee cans around each plant. One each. Every morning before 9:30 I fill the can with water. The can has a hole made with the ice pick so the water runs out very slowly and right at the base of the plant. I will repeat this if the temp gets over 100 degrees. (then the plant start to wither due to the heat) By the next morning the plants look fine. (Maybe I should not water in the morning that next day)Is this too much water?

[ShooterJohn]

If the plant is withering it is not getting enough water and that is why you are getting blossom end rot. My tomato plants get a couple of gallons of water a day each in hot weather. Try filling that can two times every morning.

[bzzrd feedr]

I guess we came from a different farmer backround. We irrigate our tomatoes when they need it. Depending on the weather we vary irrigation. The best tomatoes seem to come from less water. If the leaves start showing a little stress water them deep. Watering them too much or every day tends to cause the problems you are describing. Deep irrigations and not too often. JMHI cheers Hoag

[ShooterJohn]

That's why I water mine with drip irrigation so that they are watered deeply. All of my plants are also mulched to prevent excess evaporation and keep water hungry weeds away. But it also depends on the type of soil he has. The above were just my suggestions without seeing the plants and the soil in question. Maybe farmer Bzzz should post up some of his vegetable garden. I know my way around around a dirt patch. Just saying.

[Mr Del]

I bought some tomato food today that has 6% calcium. Right on the package it states it will get rid of Blossom End Rot. I will use it tomorrow morning before I water.Tanks, both of you. OK? Murph.

[ShooterJohn]

That sounds good Murph.I'm just busting Bzzdr's chops because he is an almond farmer. You know what that means? He's nuts!

[bzzrd feedr]

Walnuts too so I guess that means I'm double nutz. LOL

[Fjold]

We drip irrigate our tomatoes also and have had a great crop this year.

[Mr Del]

That makes 2 out of three that use drip systems. Plus you all have great looking maters. I will have to look into the "drip systems." Come to think of it.... NUTTERS use drip systems too.