It seems I am incapable of growing plum type tomatoes without Blossom End Rot. I tried Romas in the past--BER hit. This year I tried Opalkas, and the first one I picked today--you guessed it--BER. When I planted the Opalkas I put the equivalent of two egg shells, ground fine, in the planting hole. I've watered when needed, but we've had a damper than usual spring so the ground has been moist throughout, with the help of mulch. What am I doing wrong? The plants are strong and healthy looking, well supported and happy. I have about 40 other tomato plants (Celebrity, Homestead, Red and Yellow pears, and Sungold) nearby that are fine and show no symptoms. I've picked from all except the Red Pear. Help!
Jane, try lime in the hole when you plant. We put a handful in as we prepare the hole and add the fertilizer. Egg shells are great, but that may not be enough. Keep you shells year round and add a handful for every plant or keep tossing them in the area you are putting tomatoes. Inconsistant watering can contribute to this issue to. Dry, wet, dry or just too much dry can cause it. Some tomatoes are more prone to BER than others. BER is a calcium deficiency, not necessarily because there isn't sufficient calcium, but maybe because what is there is not available for the plant due to Ph or Ec (or what is called Electric conductivity) Usually this is a greenhouse/nursery issue to be checked due to the fertilizer being injected into a drip irrigation system. http://www.myronl.com/PDF/application_b ... /hc_ab.pdf Have you checked the Ph on your soil in the last several years? this is recommended to do about every 5 years. If there is need to change the Ph is must be done over time, not in one season. There is also a liquid calcium spray for blossom set/BER. I forget who markets it, but I saw it several years ago. I assume it is still available.
Carolyn, thank you. We had our soil tested two years ago, and the PH was a bit on the sweet side, but that's normal for our area. I will try adding lime when I plant next spring, but until then I'll keep my fingers crossed, hoping I get some plum tomatoes without BER, and I'll look for the spray--I think our local hardware may have it. It isn't a major tragedy to not have plum type tomatoes, but it is frustrating!
MG I use Epsom salts to prevent BER. 2 tbs in each hole and mixed well. You can also dissolve in water and use as a foliar spray after planting and while producing. Try that in a hand sprayer and spray the leaves. Or can dissolve and water with it. Just google "Epsom salts in the garden" and you can find the dilution rates.
AHA! I have Epsom Salts in my potting area. I'll look up the ratios and give my Opalkas a spray. I picked another one yesterday and it didn't have BER, but I'd rather not take any chances. Thank you, Mart! Between you and Carolyn, I may actually get some plum type tomatoes this year. :-D
I use Epsom Salts as a foliar spray. I started this about two years ago when I heard on this forum that it was good for Blossom end rot. Haven't had a problem since. I like the foliar spray because I have a small garden. (nine tomatoes and six peppers this year.
Well, PricklyPear, I could use Epsom Salts as a foliar spray also. I have a one-gallon sprayer that I could mix up an Epsom Salts mixture and use it on my tomatoes. So far I've only used Epsom as a watering agent, but I'll try the spray also. Thank you!
One other thing MG, have you had as much rain as we have ? It has been abnormally wet here,, rained today even, I am having BER problem but I think all these drenching rains have possibly washed all the Epsom salts out that I put in when I planted. Unusually wet weather can make BER worse no matter what you do.
No, believe me, excessive rain is NOT our problem! I've been deep watering twice a week because Mother Nature has decided to send her moisture elsewhere.
You are more than welcome to come get it. We have had rain weekly. Might want it in July and August but we are getting it all now. Spread it out Lord !
