I think my Tomato plants are suffering from blossom end rot, how can I fix this? I'm afraid I've been watering too much, every morning until the soil looks wet. I don't want to cut back too much and shock the plants, what do I do?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
By Hannah from Atlanta, GA
I have a greenhouse filled with tomatoes and they all had blossom rot. You have to add a calcium supplement. You can get time released calcium at most greenhouse stores (not home depot or lowes) It takes awhile to see results and you'll have to throw out the ones that are already starting to rot. But good news its not overwatering! Hope this helps!
Save your money honey, and use egg shells! Also, blossom end rot is from not watering consistently. Overwatering results in the fruit splitting, tomatoes are heavy feeders and need water daily. Don't let the soil dry out completely.
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I had a container garden last year with tomato plants and developed "blossom end rot". Does anyone have a solution to prevent this? I was told it was from a lack of calcium, so I bought Green Light Blossom End Rot Spray and sprayed the tomato plants. I didn't have much luck with this and lost nearly half my crop. I love homegrown tomatoes! So any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I bury eggshells, give them an aspirin and be very consistent with your watering. They found a couple of regular cheap old aspirins a couple of times in the growing season ads vigor to the plant and volume to the fruit, I had success with aspirin just put a couple in the hole when you plant the plant.
Blossom end rot can happen also when there is not enough air moving around the plant. I pinch off anything 10 inches from the ground and down.
Also, you need to pick up a bag/box of epsom salts. Cheapest in the drug store section of Walmart, etc. Maby $2 for a large bag. Instructions are on there for gardens. Magnesium Sulfate or lack there of, indeed inhances bottom rot.
I also use when planting BONE/BLOOD MEAL--Shultz makes a good one. I put this into the ground. If you have potted tomato plants you might be leaching the iron out of the plant too. Special stuff by Schultz to add that. None too expensive. I raise romas for everything and can/freeze too.
Make sure your soil is good, blend in fresh peat moss and some sand every year. I dump my sand boxes in the fall into the gardens. THEY LOVE IT.
Martha Stewart had a man on her show that wrote a book on giving helpful tips. He said to add the shells from 4 eggs when planting each tomato plant.
Blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium and/or uneven watering. The calcium has to be able to get to the plant so good watering is essential. Using egg shells is a good way to go. Any time I use a raw egg, I rinse out the shell and throw it in a container under the kitchen sink. When it's full, I start a new container. In the spring, I put all of the shells (you'd be amazed by how many you have, and how heavy they are!) into a big container and stomp on them.
Thank you the epsom salt real works my tomatoes plants look so much better they perk up and look healthy
What can be done for tomatoes that turn brown on the bottom?
By Robin from Ellettsville, IN
Sounds like blossom end rot, which is generally caused by a lack of calcium in the soil.
Yes, Blossom end rot. Agreed, but calcium deficiency is only one effect or cause. Also irregular watering can bring it on. Once you have it (Blossom End Rot) .. I know of nothing to reverse it.
In my case, I cut my losses. Chose a different plot to plant them in, the following growing season and planted each seedling with a couple of crushed egg shells mixed in with the bone meal, and resolved to do a better job of regularly watering the tomato plants.
All clear thus far this season.
Can you plant too many tomato plants in a given area? If so, how should they be spaced? Our plants are turning yellow from the ground up and the tomatoes are rotting on the undersides. Please can you help?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Kyra Leigh from Bristol, TN
It sounds like blossom-end rot, which is caused by a calcium deficiency. You can add calcium to the soil with gypsum.
Calcium may be an issue, you can buy it at the local nursery. You should have planted some with it when beginning the garden. Also Blood Meal.
Any veggie that flowers in the garden needs epsom salts, aka Magnesium Sulfate. Essential for blossoms. Pick your tomatoes with end rot and get to the garbage. Do not leave. Bugs will love them and infest other things into the gardens.
Another thing. I do a clean up the bottom of the plants. Nothing for the first 10 inches up the plant stay. Needs air to move amongst the plants to keep it happy!
My tomatoes are turning brown on the bottom.
Hardiness Zone: 6b
By Cecil Barnette from Paducah, KY
This is probably blossom end rot. It occurs at the bottom of the tomato and sort of looks like a bruise that may or may not be indented somewhat. Crushed egg shells in the dirt will replace a calcium shortage which is frequently the cause. Also, too much water and/or fertilizer (indicated particularly if you have plants that are very tall but not bearing much fruit) can cause blossom end rot. Pick the affected fruit as soon as you notice the problem so the plant's energy is spent on healthy fruit instead. Usually only affects some of the fruit on a plant, and most often only the first fruits.
This so helpful, I thought I was over watering them, the plants are 5 foot tall and just now showing fruit. thanks you the plants are really show a lot of fruit now and I'm glad I asked.
What causes tomato bottom rot?
By Charles V.
Blossom end rot is usually caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. Since they are already established plants, you could crush up one or two antacid tablets like Tums and spread around the base of the plant and water it in. Next year, save your egg shells and crush them up, mix it in with the planting soil as you plant the tomato plants and you shouldn't have any problems.
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