
What To Do When You See Blossom-End Rot
ADVERTISEMENT
It's was 25-30yrs ago, but when my son and I were growing tomatoes(Better Girls) from seeds in an egg crate, then later planting them in a raised bed, some of the tomatoes developed blossom end rot. Per the advice of my sister-in-law(horticulturist) we sprinkled bone meal around the bases of the plants. Worked great! Not sure of other conditions, but that's all I remember doing. I don't remember watering, just depended on rain. We had probably 20 plants or so. Bottom rot stopped & we had tons of sweet sun ripened tomatoes. I remember another sister-in-law coming and picking some of the tomatoes for herself, we had so many. Made great BLT sandwiches. Looking forward to trying to do that again, now, at retirement age. 👍👍👍🙂😋
At the first sign of blossom end rot, I crush one calcium based antacid tablet (such as Tums, or I use the cheaper generic brand that comes in large bottles) in just enough water to dissolve it and pour at the base of the tomato/pepper/eggplant vine. The rest of the fruit then is fine. I've used this method for years.
How often do you do this treatment. Weekly, monthly? How often do you water your plants during July and August?
Just one application?
Thanks.
I was told to use Epsom Salt to help with blossom rot on my tomatoes
I use ground egg shells. I just haven’t figured out how much to use. I have two 64 ounce jars and a 32 ounce jar ground fine.
That’s magnesium so act makes it worse
For both the chickens and the planters, I crush shells a bit and then roast them slowly in the oven until browned. Crush a bit more and sprinkle in coop or potting soil I mix from a local plant nursery and a water treatment plant residue called 'sludge'...shells will keep slugs down in the planters and provides calcium to the chickens among it's other benefits.
Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0 a tspn/gal per week after fruiting starts is worth a try.
I grind egg shells in my coffee grinder and spread them in the dirt and around the base of the tomato plants. In the dirt provides the need calcium; around the base is a deterrent to any bugs. I also give all my vegetables a good dose of used coffee grounds.