[Cazzy]

Anyone know what causes this?  Its not every tomato thats affected but I have it on both plum and salad plants, cherry toms don't seem to be affected.

[DD.]

Blossom end rot.

The result of poor transportation of calcium around the plant.

This could either be as a result of calcium deficiency or more off than not, irregular watering.

[Cazzy]

Thanks DD, irregular watering is probably the issue then.   Can this be cured by watering regularly from now on or have I ruined the plants?

[DD.]

You can't cure it as far as the ones that's got it are concerned, but you can ensure that those yet to set don't get it.

[Cazzy]

Great news, I can make sure the rest don't suffer the same fate then, I was so worried that I'd done long term damage.

Thanks for that

[DD.]

The problem is this variable weather, mine can sometimes go 2 days without watering, other days they need it twice a day.

And if we go away & leave the watering in the hands of the kids...................

[peapod]

Mine outside are looking good - now - but I worry that this wet weather had taken a toll on them and am keeping a beady eye out for BER. I REALLY want my toms to survive this year, we get through so many of them

[gillie]

Don't pick affected fruit off too soon, let them ripen.  Sometimes you just get a small black patch on the blossom end which is easily removed in the kitchen.  Other times the whole tomato is a right off.

I have often had a percentage of my tomatoes in the greenhouse do this, though curiously there is no sign of it this year. I have not had outdoor tomatoes affected.

'Regular watering' means keeping the pots evenly damp regardless of the weather.  It does not mean slinging the same number of cans on every day regardless.


Cheers,

Gillie

[DD.]

'Regular watering' means keeping the pots evenly damp regardless of the weather.  It does not mean slinging the same number of cans on every day regardless.

I hope I alluded to that!

The problem is this variable weather, mine can sometimes go 2 days without watering, other days they need it twice a day.

[Cazzy]

Don't pick affected fruit off too soon, let them ripen.  Sometimes you just get a small black patch on the blossom end which is easily removed in the kitchen.

Think i'll give that a go gillie, I binned some massive plum toms and it broke my heart    I've never grown them before and had big plans for a freezer full of marinara sauce for winter.