I'm a complete novice to growing... and desperately need help.

I have 3 beautiful tomato plants I started indoors in November (San Diego's always warm). No idea what variety, "Flower Pot Tomotos" from Walmart.

My problem is that for every 1 tomato I get ripened, I've lost 7 others because they start turning black from the bottom of the fruit up. The don't get mushy but stay firm and eventually start to cave in a bit on the bottoms.

I have no visable pests. Had Iris Aphids but got rid of them easily.

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

Would appreciate advice.


* * * *
Gerry

How's your watering practices???

Also, if you do a FORUM SEARCH and type in Blossom End Rot and click on the FRUITS AND VEGETABLE SECTION..
You'll come up with several posts on that subject..

Come back after reading, and let us know your watering practices,
How many times,
and at what time,
amounts you water,

The type of container it's in
and what kind of soil and fertilizers too!!!

That will help a great deal for us...

And Welcome to The Garden Helper's Forum by the way, we're glad you found us..
And don't forget to take a peak around.. there's lot's to do and keep you busy...

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Thanks for all the help. I know as much about plants as I do brain surgery.

Okay, I've searched and read up on the blossom butt rot thingie... My watering is very regular. The soil is just dampened enough at the surface that it doesn't blow away as dust. So I assume it's more moist down below. The trays do not have any drained water in them.

I will water 1 plant more, 1 plant less and leave 1 as is to see what works best.

Thanks for the speedy and very helpful advice.

P.S. Don't be surprised if I'm not back here with other stupid questions. I'm starting with bell peppers next.

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Gerry

quote:

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P.S. Don't be surprised if I'm not back here with other stupid questions. I'm starting with bell peppers next.

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We LOVE questions, and the only one's that are stoopid, are the ones NOT ASKED!!
Do not hesitate to ask, you'll always get a reply,
they may not be speedy as the first one, but you'll get you'll always get one...

And we have a bunch of guys here that grow peppers too, so not to worry!!!!

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

quote:

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Originally posted by weezie13:
Yes, on one of those previous posts, theres
some info on using Epsom Salts for that for it too ..

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Yep, I've read of many an oldtime tomato grower that plants their transplants with a spoonful of epsom salts in the hole. Or you can use limestone.

* * * *
John - Zone 6

quote:

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Originally posted by johnCT:

quote:

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Originally posted by weezie13:
Yes, on one of those previous posts, theres
some info on using Epsom Salts for that for it too ..

---

Yep, I've read of many an oldtime tomato grower that plants their transplants with a spoonful of epsom salts in the hole. Or you can use limestone.

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Does this really work to put a spoonful in the hole when planting??? If so even though I have not had this problem a friend does every year and I might advise them to do this.

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quote:

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An old farmer trick is to mix crushed egg shells into the soil, as they are mostly calcium!

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The only one thing I've heard, is yes, that is a good thing, but it's slow..
*and if you have the problem that season, it's best to go with a foliar spray and then scratch some into the drip line of the plant..

Then, it for future season's, it's a great way, to do a few things for your soil..
Puts the calcium in the soil and breaks up the soil if it's clay or other...
I mix it into my compost pile, and when I sift my compost, you can see little pieces of the egg shells all over the place..

I have alot of problems with the septoria wilt,
but BER I don't have..

But it's been several years I've been composting and that stuff is great for my soil..

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Comfrey, I do both..
Save some in a zip lock and crush them to put
around my hosta's and even my marigolds and mountain bluets, but I also put it in my compost..
Cause when it all gets rendered down, the shells crush up when I sift it and when I spread it on the beds, or mix it in the planting hole or mix up my potting soils, they are right in there as well..
And gosh, if you have your own chickens, you should have enough for both..

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

I do..

But I am not gospel on it...

Mine turns over so quickly that mine don't
draw any critters to it..soooooo not 100% sure..
But still do add them..

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Thank you all for reminding me about the epsom salt. I had totally forgotten.

* * * *

Info on foliar spray for BER:

quote:

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* Foliar sprays can be used to help prevent the problem on young developing fruit before signs of blossom end rot occurs. Calcium chloride is suggested only for tomatoes. Calcium chloride sprays (see below), beginning prior to the first cluster of fruit appearing, can be used to supply calcium to the plant. Calcium nitrate can also be used as a spray treatment. Calcium chloride may burn the plant if sprayed during the hotter part of the day. Do not spray plants under stress conditions. Soil-applied treatments and prevention by cultural practices are generally preferred over sprays.

Spray with calcium chloride at the rate of 4 level tablespoons of calcium chloride per gallon of water (or 4 pounds per 100 gallons of water). Apply sprays every 7 to 10 days until 3 or 4 applications have been made. Application should be done while temperatures are cool in the morning If blossom-end rot appears on the first cluster, begin spraying immediately. Spray to the point of run-off. Chelated calcium solutions also provide an excellent source of calcium. When using these chelates, follow label directions. Several foliar spray materials containing calcium are available, and all work well for tomatoes.

Remember, controlling blossom-end rot is based on proper calcium nutrition of the crop and optimum irrigation scheduling.

Source Rate to Apply
95% (USP Grade) Calcium Chloride 4 tablespoons per gallon of water or 4 lbs per 100 gallons of water
78% (USP Grade) Calcium Chloride 5 tablespoons per gallon of water or 5 lbs per 100 gallons of water
Calcium nitrate 5 tablespoons per gallon of water or 5 lbs per 100 gallons of water

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Above info from:
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service

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Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.

Terry, do you know if epsom salts are considered organic? I'm hoping to get certification in the future...
I've heard that epsom salts are a good addition for most vegetable crops...

* * * *

Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

Here we go. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate and according to this source magnesium sulfate is allowed for use as a soil amendment with a documented magnesium deficiency. (Scroll down below the first long table to section I of Recommendations for the National List

* * * *

Terry

May the force be with you

I'm going to say Thanks for that info toooooooo,
Terryyyyyyy...
Nice....

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Wow, more great information, Terry! That's just terrific! Thanks again!

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Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

A good way to do the eggshells is to just whizz them in a blender with a little water. I mix a handfull of powdered limestone in the tomato holes and am not bothered with BMR

I don't have chickens, still fighting blossom end rot too. Indoor with an HPS 400w, I ameliorated soil adding compost and whatever I can find. Seems easier to manage but still here.
Good trick to see in advance it will appear is checking the leafs. If they break making a little noise, feeling something hard cracking denotes there is too much food in the leaves, calcium is not necessarly missing, but mostly going to the leaves instead of the fruits. I've read in a few places and when I cut half of the leaves, it helps, but not definitely.
I'm starting to think I have to live with for some time at least until I find to manage it.
At least removing them helps the next ones, and removing the black end, the small green tomatoes are a consolation to cook with.

Fredix,
You don't happen to have a picture of the
tomato plant, pot, soil, lighting, etc... do you??
That would be a big help for us to help you figure out what's going on with your plant..

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/