Blossom End Rot of Tomatoes

             Every year I get the calls.  All my tomatoes are rotting on the vine!  What’s going on!  Further questioning finds that the blossom end of the fruit (the opposite end from where it is attached to the plant) has sunken in and turned black. 

             This is a very common non-infectious disease problem that is caused by the environmental conditions.  It is actually a calcium deficiency of the tomato that is brought on by unfavorable growing conditions, especially drought.   Typically when we have a few hot days that may cause the tomato plant to wilt a little, the result is prime conditions for blossom end rot. 

If you look closely at your tomato plant you may notice that not all tomatoes are affected.  Only tomatoes that are at the same stage of growth will show these symptoms.  Usually the first fruit clusters are affected.  There is nothing to spray that will prevent this condition.  Careful monitoring of the amount of water your tomatoes get and supplementing when conditions are dry will lessen the extent of the condition.  Mulching will also help.  Assuring that your garden pH is near 6.5 will help alleviate this problem.  Also, some cultivars seem to be more susceptible to blossom end rot then others.

Back to Newsletter Index Page