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How to Control Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
Dec
What is Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes?
Blossom end rot is a common physiological disorder in gardening which caused by a lack of calcium inside the plant. It can exist in vegetables such as peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, and tomatoes. It is not caused by insects (so refrain from applying insecticides throughout your garden).
Blossom end rot is most common when humidity starts off in the growing season and then becomes dry when the fruit sets. The typical symptoms of blossom end rot are water-soaked spots on the blossom end of tomato fruits, appearing when the fruit is about half of its full size. The water-soaked areas enlarge, becoming dark brown and leathery. These areas eventually start to rot, and affected fruits should be picked and discarded.
What Causes Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes?
Your garden soil may simply lack the necessary calcium for proper fruit formation. However, more commonly, the soil may contain plenty of calcium, but the plant is unable to absorb it. Several factors can limit the plant’s ability to absorb enough calcium for normal development, including:
- Soil Moisture Fluctuations (Too Wet or Too Dry)
- Excessive Nitrogen (N) in the Soil
- Root Damage Due to Cultivation
- Too Cold Soil
How to Prevent Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
1. Avoid Chilling:
In cold weather, warm the soil before planting; cold soil limits nutrient uptake.
2. Maintain Moisture:
Thoroughly water once or twice a week in dry weather, moistening the soil to at least 6 inches deep. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems are ideal. Use coverings, such as red tomato mulch, to minimize evaporation and help maintain consistent soil moisture.
3. Conduct Soil Tests:
Aim for a soil pH of at least 6.5-7.0.
4. Skip Nitrogen (N):
Use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer, such as GSC Organic Tomato Fertilizer.
5. Supply Calcium:
Use calcium-based foliar fertilizers that can be directly sprayed on plants, such as Tomato Rot Stop.
6. Keep Garden Records:
You may find that some tomato varieties are more prone to blossom end rot than others.
During the growth of tomatoes，we need care for many aspects，except desease management，still including tomatoes support cage，planting，mulching and so on.