A Gardeners Forum
Posted By: poetprose Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 17th, 2005 at 01:29 AM
Hello!! We have at least 40 Tomatoe plants, some in pots and some planted in the garden, Hubby went to pick my first ripe tomatoe this morning from my garden and the entire bottom of it is black!!!! AURGG

Can someone tell me what this black is? what do I do to stop it? and will it spead? I sure hope not beccause these tomatoes are a good size and starting to ripen now

thax so much for your help.... Don't want to lose this harvest :-(
Posted By: LMT Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 17th, 2005 at 07:51 AM
see other posts related to tomatoes

Is this the problem?

Let me guess, commercial fertilizer every two weeks?
Posted By: suzydaze Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 17th, 2005 at 10:07 AM
that's called bottom rot, from irragular watering
Posted By: poetprose Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 17th, 2005 at 05:35 PM
ok, well I can see it being from irregular watering as we are in desperate need of rain, over a month now really no rain


.>Let me guess, commercial fertilizer every two weeks?<<

no we have only used miracle grow maybe twice for the whole summer when they were young, The stalk is healthy the leaf is healthy, no discoloring or curling... just the tap water,

thx for all your help , !!!
Posted By: Sorellina Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 19th, 2005 at 03:18 AM
A lot of us are getting blossom end rot (BER) this year due to extreme heat and humidity. I'm in Ontario too, and BER is on some of my plants. Paste varieties, the ones with few seeds, oftentimes elongated, used for sauce, are the most susceptible (sp?) to BER. It usually goes away on its own. The weather gurus are predicting cooler temps starting this weekend. Let's hope they're right as this will help our gardens and our tomatoes immensely.

Buona fortuna,
Julianna
Posted By: Garth Randall Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - July 25th, 2005 at 12:15 AM
Tomato blossom end rot is related to drying out and frequent watering is essential to keep the soil at a constant moisture. Here in UK grow bags are popular (for lazy gardeners!) but they are notorious for drying out quickly and encouraging end rot. Try large plastic pots in future in a tray of small stones and keep well watered.
Posted By: Tamara from Minnesota Re: Help ??????Blackened bottom tomatoes - August 1st, 2005 at 10:06 AM
I always treat for blossom end rot even before I see any. It is so common. The calcium the plants need cannot reach the plant when the watering is irregular (technical reason). I use a blossom end rot spray from the garden center. I used it today for the first time this season. Definitely a must!
© A Gardeners Forum [Archive]