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June 8, 2010  |  insects, insects and diseases, vegetables
Rotten tomatoes

Sorry about the picture: like most gardeners, we prefer the beautiful parts of gardening. But this is nature, and nature ain't always pretty! This is an example of Blossom End Rot. It is a calcium deficiency most common in tomatoes, especially those grown in containers, but may also be seen in peppers, eggplant, and a few others as well. The disorder is not the end of the world,

and with proper, consistent watering will usually correct itself. Simply remove the affected fruit, and don't allow the soil moisture to get too dry. In emergency situations, foliage can be sprayed with calcium chloride solutions, such as Bonide Rot-Stop. Foliar treatment is not a substitute for maintaining adequate supplies of water. Blossom end rot causes flat, dry, black areas on the bottoms of the fruit. The disorder is definitely most severe after fluctuating soil moisture, especially extremes of either too dry or too wet. Tomatoes planted early in cold soil are likely to develop it on the first fruits. Solution: Do not plant too early in cold soil, and maintain consistent watering. It is also helpful to practice "crop rotation", planting your tomatoes in different areas of the garden each year. Our brochure about common vegetable diseases and insects can be read and printed here.