Some of my tomatos are rotting on the bottom side just as they begin to change color. When I find one that has this trouble, there are some kind of insect or spider on the affected area. The insects look like a cross between a mosquito and a spider. I can't tell if they cause the rot, or are there as a result of the rot. What say you?
The first thing that comes to mind is, "bloissom-end rot". Have a look here: Blossom-end rot often occurs on developing fruit when plants have grown rapidly during the early part of the season and then are subjected to prolonged dry weather. Other factors that increase BER are heavy applications of nitrogenous fertilizers, a widely fluctuating water supply, and hot, dry winds. The exact nature of this disease is still debated, but involves and imbalance in amount of calcium in the fruit.
I just read that putting egg shells around the base of the plant in the soil will help to adjust the calcium in the soil. I will have to try this. I have had to pull off several toms lately because of bottom rot. We have had a lot of hot and wet weather and they say this will contribute to bottom rot.
That's absolutely true, G';mamma...but I have found that regular watering with the same amounts of water at generally the same times of day will help alot.
I wish I had that option this summer...with all the rains ...usually i water in the morning and night but this summer it rains all the time!
If it is blossom end rot, which I agree with Sjoerd it sounds like, then bugs will make a beeline for the area as it is weakened and they can get in and feed. Regular watering is the only way to go. I get it sometimes in the greenhouse as I can be a touch eratic with the watering.
I believe you are all right with the bottom end rot. The picture looks exactly like what I have seen, and temps here have been staying in the mid-nineties for a couple of weeks. So now, how much water is enough? I thought too much water was just as bad for tomatos.
Well Garden mama...you are right about the irrratic weather this year(here atleast). When the weather does weird things one has to sort of 'tinker' with the schedule. It can only come with experience...and of course you have to have the time to give the plants attention--sometimes a person's schedule doesn't allow time. Grip--I would suggest that you just remove those affected toms and throw them away...they are ill and will only take energy away from the healthy ones.
I think that this page will be helpful. I plan on spending as much time as I can to prevent any more end rot of my babies! http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horti ... m-rot.html
I have two early girl tomato plants, and one has developed blossom rot, and the one right next to it has not. Both have the same soil and watering. They certainly did get one dried out period when I was on vacation for a week and that was the first week we did not get rain here.
The good news: Blossom End Rot is the expression of tomato plants inability to take up sufficient calcium as fruit develops. It is not contageous, you do not have to pull plants out. It will pass. The bad news: Bloosom End Rot can affect any cultivar of tomato. Some cultivars show more signs of BER than others. Yea, But what do I do about it? Try to supply water at the same rate throughout the crop. This was never an answer I was totaly comfortable with as preached by Carolyn Male. So, as a result I have added some kind of lime to tomato at plant out. I'm not sure Ms Male is wrong, but doing something makes me feel better, and that may be what I have to settle for. My usual calcium suspects, that I have applied over the years: Ground (not hydrated) limestone Crushed oyster shell Egg shalls
Don`t worry,, everyone has had the same problem with BER this year. Just toss that tomato. This hot, windy, unbearably dry weather just depletes the calcium in the soil. While regular watering will help and don`t overwater, agricultural lime will restore the soil. Its a good idea to lime your garden every couple of years anyway. Try sprinking a bit around your plants and work it into the soil before watering. May be too late this year,, but I would try it and see. Its possible that it may help the blooms that haven`t set fruit yet.
