Blossom end blues

Lycopersica · July 19, 2015

I'm growing opalka plum tomatoes. Although the plants have been fruiting like crazy, at least two thirds of the fruit have blossom end rot. Based on a soil test, I know my soil was very calcium deficient when I started. I mixed in compost, Dr. Earth's rock phosphate (containing calcium phosphate) and egg shells when I planted but I guess that wasn't enough.

A week or two ago, when I noticed how widespread the blossom end rot was, I added more egg shell bits and rock phosphate. Then, I mulched the bed with composted leaves and pine needles to keep the soil more evenly moist. I've been careful to water more consistently too. Nonetheless, I noticed today that the newer juvenile tomatoes are starting to get soft spots on their blossom ends.

The plants are showing early signs of over-feeding so I don't want to amend the soil any further. Should I try one of those calcium sprays or give it more time? Am I doomed to sad mushy half-tomatoes all season?

Salsacharley · July 20, 2015

Here is an article with good info on plants' ability to take up calcium. It appears that there aren't any quick remedies, but balancing nutrients would be a good start. Good Luck.

http://maximumyield.com/take-a-trip-...lcium-highway/

Carriehelene · July 20, 2015

Dave says that adding eggshells will do nothing to add the calcium needed, and it's the wrong kind of calcium. That's pretty much the only help I can offer, never had a calcium problem to get further into it. Good luck!

FarmerShawn · July 20, 2015

I really love Opalkas, but they are the most likely to get BER than any tomato I've tried. I don't have any quick fixes, but when they work, Opalkas are worth the trouble!

Lycopersica · July 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Here is an article with good info on plants' ability to take up calcium. It appears that there aren't any quick remedies, but balancing nutrients would be a good start. Good Luck.

http://maximumyield.com/take-a-trip-...lcium-highway/

Thanks for the great article. It's really informative about the different types of calcium. I guess quick fix foliar sprays are too good to be true after all. I'll wait a bit and then try some gypsum sparingly on a few plants.

I don't know it makes any difference, but I picked the a bunch of the larger affected fruits to ease stress and nutrient load on the plants. At least I managed to save enough pieces for a big tray of fried green tomatoes.

Lycopersica · July 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerShawn

I really love Opalkas, but they are the most likely to get BER than any tomato I've tried. I don't have any quick fixes, but when they work, Opalkas are worth the trouble!

It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in having Opalkas with BER. I was beginning to feel like a bad plant parent!

Lycopersica · August 21, 2015

The gypsum worked! Okay, it could be a coincidence but the plants really turned around after I applied it. I went from ~90% of my tomatoes getting BER by the time they got big to only a few getting it. Hooray for pointy Opalkas!

yardn_gardn · August 22, 2015

Opalka are my favorite tomatoe for fresh eating and canning. They taste great in salsa and are beautiful in the jars. Blossom end rot is such a painful experience. I've much less trouble with BER
this year than last since I put in a drip irrigation system with a $25.00 timer. It might help others too.

Gardeneer · December 19, 2015

BER is mostly due to soil moisture fluctuations ( drying out) than Ca deficiency. For the same reason it occurs more often in container growing.
Then of course we know that Roma/plum types are more BER prone.

Gardeneer

cjp1953 · January 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycopersica

The gypsum worked! Okay, it could be a coincidence but the plants really turned around after I applied it. I went from ~90% of my tomatoes getting BER by the time they got big to only a few getting it. Hooray for pointy Opalkas!

I added gypsum to my garden this year to help keep the soil loose,seems the worms love it.I also read that it added calcium to the soil.It's a cheap way to go.It stays in the soil a while, I would think it works better turned into your soil but have been told even left on the surface it's still effective.

July 19, 2015	#1
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	Blossom end blues I'm growing opalka plum tomatoes. Although the plants have been fruiting like crazy, at least two thirds of the fruit have blossom end rot. Based on a soil test, I know my soil was very calcium deficient when I started. I mixed in compost, Dr. Earth's rock phosphate (containing calcium phosphate) and egg shells when I planted but I guess that wasn't enough. A week or two ago, when I noticed how widespread the blossom end rot was, I added more egg shell bits and rock phosphate. Then, I mulched the bed with composted leaves and pine needles to keep the soil more evenly moist. I've been careful to water more consistently too. Nonetheless, I noticed today that the newer juvenile tomatoes are starting to get soft spots on their blossom ends. The plants are showing early signs of over-feeding so I don't want to amend the soil any further. Should I try one of those calcium sprays or give it more time? Am I doomed to sad mushy half-tomatoes all season? __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

July 20, 2015	#4
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	I really love Opalkas, but they are the most likely to get BER than any tomato I've tried. I don't have any quick fixes, but when they work, Opalkas are worth the trouble! __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

August 21, 2015	#7
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	The gypsum worked! Okay, it could be a coincidence but the plants really turned around after I applied it. I went from ~90% of my tomatoes getting BER by the time they got big to only a few getting it. Hooray for pointy Opalkas! __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

August 22, 2015	#8
yardn_gardn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Central Idaho at 3200 elev. in zone 5b, maybe 100 frost free days Posts: 77	Opalka are my favorite tomatoe for fresh eating and canning. They taste great in salsa and are beautiful in the jars. Blossom end rot is such a painful experience. I've much less trouble with BER this year than last since I put in a drip irrigation system with a $25.00 timer. It might help others too. __________________ Happy garden trails, Dawn

July 20, 2015	#2
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	Here is an article with good info on plants' ability to take up calcium. It appears that there aren't any quick remedies, but balancing nutrients would be a good start. Good Luck. http://maximumyield.com/take-a-trip-...lcium-highway/

July 20, 2015	#3
Carriehelene Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 300	Dave says that adding eggshells will do nothing to add the calcium needed, and it's the wrong kind of calcium. That's pretty much the only help I can offer, never had a calcium problem to get further into it. Good luck!

December 19, 2015	#9
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	BER is mostly due to soil moisture fluctuations ( drying out) than Ca deficiency. For the same reason it occurs more often in container growing. Then of course we know that Roma/plum types are more BER prone. Gardeneer