BER Help!

SharonRossy · July 10, 2013

I know there is a lot of information on BER, but I can't seem to find it, guess I don't know how to search for it.
In any event, I've found a few tomatoes, Cuor di Bue and Bloody Butcher with Ber.
I am container growing, large containers. 20 gallon and have been using a soilless mixture, added lime, fertilizer, etc. I have been careful about watering. The plants are very healthy. I know that sometimes in the beginning, it's not unusual for a few to have it. Just wanted to know the best way to treat it.
I am using a fertilizer with calcium by Myke's. Should I add extra lime to control it?
Thanks,
Sharon

ginger2778 · July 10, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonRossy

I know there is a lot of information on BER, but I can't seem to find it, guess I don't know how to search for it.
In any event, I've found a few tomatoes, Cuor di Bue and Bloody Butcher with Ber.
I am container growing, large containers. 20 gallon and have been using a soilless mixture, added lime, fertilizer, etc. I have been careful about watering. The plants are very healthy. I know that sometimes in the beginning, it's not unusual for a few to have it. Just wanted to know the best way to treat it.
I am using a fertilizer with calcium by Myke's. Should I add extra lime to control it?
Thanks,
Sharon

I grew Bloody Butcher this past season, boy what a BER magnet it was. I also grow in containers. I bought calcium nitrate, very water soluble, very economical since you only use 1/2 tsp per gallon. This was recommended here in he container gardening forum. It's a godsend! Not one more got BER after I started using it( once per week).
I got mine at Kelp4less.com. I think you can get it on Amazon too.
Here's my theory on why container growing is more prone; we put our dolomite lime in near the top 1/3, at least that is where earthbox instructions say to put it, and that's what I use. They say to put it there because its the upper roots that absorb he calcium, supposedly also true of soil planted not container end tomatoes. When we plant our young seedlings, we plant them very deep, so the root all present isn't near he dolomite layer. It takes a while for the young plant to grow into the calcium layer, and when it does, the plant outgrows the BER problem. This I just my theory, nothing scientific about it. I just know the liquid calcium nitrate given at first and continued gave me all plants that never got BER from the beginning.
Sorry for the long winded post, but the stuff is so cheap, and used as directed, it couldn't hurt!
Marsha

Vespertino · July 11, 2013

What color are your containers? If they're dark they might be trapping extra heat inside the roots when the sun shines on it- that will aggravate BER, I've got that problem with my brandywines. You can make a sun shade or paint the container white.

Chucker · July 11, 2013

I always have BER early in my containers, except this year I don't have any. This year I've been feeding Dyna Gro Liquid Grow since the seeds sprouted. Previous years I've used Tomato Tone and Miracle Grow. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Could be the weather this year. Could be the new fertilizer has better calcium and stuff. Anyway, I'm super happy with my new fertilizer and the lack of BER. YMMV

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SharonRossy · July 11, 2013

Thanks everyone. When I made my container mix, I put the calcium in from the beginning. So it should have been spread throughout. My containers are from Hydofarm, and are a charcoal color but very breathable. I am wondering if its partly due to the extreme weather conditions, very cold to extremely hot and humid and I think I might be guilty of over fertilizing, which can happen sometimes.
I have removed the damaged fruits and will continue to do so. I am going to send away for the calcium nitrate if I can't find it locally. I have one BB in a container and that's the one with BER and another that I planted in soil, so it will be interesting to see how that one fares. 95% of my plants are in containers so I think the calcium nitrate sounds like a great option.
I don't think I can find DynaGrow in my area in Montreal. I have looked for it as others have recommended it.
Thanks for all the help!

SharonRossy · July 11, 2013

Marsha, can you give me the name of the product you bought.,
Thx, Sharon

Uncle Dunkel · July 11, 2013

Use a foliar spray containing chealted Calcium. Foliar chealted calcium will travel much faster through your plant than the calcium in your soil coming through the roots. Foliar sprays do work great to correct nutrient and mineral deficiencies. Also they translocate through the entile plant including the fruit. Think about this, did you ever give a weed a foliar spray of Round Up? What happened? Killed the plant including the roots. Sure I sell foliar sprays for tomatoes but they still work.

tlintx · July 11, 2013

Is this it?

http://www.amazon.com/Atlantis-Hydro.../dp/B0013LQJKU

I had no idea you could buy fertilizer "ingredients" on Amazon.

I'm tempted to purchase some and mix up an old recipe I saw in a book recently, just to see how it works.

July 10, 2013	#1
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	BER Help! I know there is a lot of information on BER, but I can't seem to find it, guess I don't know how to search for it. In any event, I've found a few tomatoes, Cuor di Bue and Bloody Butcher with Ber. I am container growing, large containers. 20 gallon and have been using a soilless mixture, added lime, fertilizer, etc. I have been careful about watering. The plants are very healthy. I know that sometimes in the beginning, it's not unusual for a few to have it. Just wanted to know the best way to treat it. I am using a fertilizer with calcium by Myke's. Should I add extra lime to control it? Thanks, Sharon

July 11, 2013	#3
Vespertino Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 743	What color are your containers? If they're dark they might be trapping extra heat inside the roots when the sun shines on it- that will aggravate BER, I've got that problem with my brandywines. You can make a sun shade or paint the container white.

July 11, 2013	#4
Chucker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 180	I always have BER early in my containers, except this year I don't have any. This year I've been feeding Dyna Gro Liquid Grow since the seeds sprouted. Previous years I've used Tomato Tone and Miracle Grow. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Could be the weather this year. Could be the new fertilizer has better calcium and stuff. Anyway, I'm super happy with my new fertilizer and the lack of BER. YMMV .

July 11, 2013	#7
Uncle Dunkel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 74	Use a foliar spray containing chealted Calcium. Foliar chealted calcium will travel much faster through your plant than the calcium in your soil coming through the roots. Foliar sprays do work great to correct nutrient and mineral deficiencies. Also they translocate through the entile plant including the fruit. Think about this, did you ever give a weed a foliar spray of Round Up? What happened? Killed the plant including the roots. Sure I sell foliar sprays for tomatoes but they still work.

July 11, 2013	#8
tlintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SeTx Posts: 881	Is this it? http://www.amazon.com/Atlantis-Hydro.../dp/B0013LQJKU I had no idea you could buy fertilizer "ingredients" on Amazon. I'm tempted to purchase some and mix up an old recipe I saw in a book recently, just to see how it works.