What is YOUR remedy for blossom end rot (BER)?

Gardenboy · January 15, 2013

I have been gardening heirloom tomatoes for over 30 years thanks to my grandfather's teaching. I grow in 15 gallon containers because our sandy Florida soil is full of nematodes and not rich soil. I use peat moss ( Lambert's potting mix) and add rabbit manure. Last season 2012 was really good with the blossom end rot but this season 2013 has been worse for BER. Any ideas? Is it lack of calcium and watering habits? Does using powered milk in the soil work? I have read different comments on BER and wondered what works best? Not all my tomatoes were affected. All the Brandywine strains were fine. The Watermelon Beefsteak was hit the hardest. So are some varieties more susceptible? I still have a great crop of tomatoes but did loose about 30 tomatoes to BER. Any suggestions would be helpful.

January 15, 2013	#1
Gardenboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 784	What is YOUR remedy for blossom end rot (BER)? I have been gardening heirloom tomatoes for over 30 years thanks to my grandfather's teaching. I grow in 15 gallon containers because our sandy Florida soil is full of nematodes and not rich soil. I use peat moss ( Lambert's potting mix) and add rabbit manure. Last season 2012 was really good with the blossom end rot but this season 2013 has been worse for BER. Any ideas? Is it lack of calcium and watering habits? Does using powered milk in the soil work? I have read different comments on BER and wondered what works best? Not all my tomatoes were affected. All the Brandywine strains were fine. The Watermelon Beefsteak was hit the hardest. So are some varieties more susceptible? I still have a great crop of tomatoes but did loose about 30 tomatoes to BER. Any suggestions would be helpful.