RSS
Home
Treating blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers and eggplants
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Blossom end rot can be avoided by providing even
moisture during dry weather, mulching to conserve
water in the heat and ensuring calcium absorption
by having the proper soil pH.
Most summer vegetables prefer even moisture rather than the feast or famine cycle that some summers deliver, with stretches of drought followed by a deluge of rain. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are particularly vulnerable to a condition called blossom end rot that results from drought stress or calcium deficiency.
Blossom end rot looks like dark, dry and sunken areas on the bottom of the developing fruit. Since the fruit is compromised, pests or other diseases will often invade, so remove any affected fruit immediately.
Follow these tips to avoid future losses.
- Ensure even watering by providing adequate drainage and watering during dry spells.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, particularly early in the season.
- Mulch around plants to conserve water and keep moisture levels even.
- Check the pH level of the soil. The pH should be around 6.5 to allow for the optimum level of calcium absorption. Add lime if the soil is too acidic.
- If the plant is badly affected, you can try folar application of calcium supplements. These supplements are thought to be less effective, however, than other means because of poor absorption.
The bottom line to avoid loss to blossom end rot is to mind the moisture. Remember to aim for about one inch of moisture per week.
You might also enjoy these:
Thank you for reading! You can reach me at gardeningexaminer@gmail.com and can follow me on Twitter at @RobinRipley.
Did you also know I write about fresh foods? You can read my food columns at the D.C. Fresh Foods Examiner.
Click SUBSCRIBE below to receive notifications of new National Gardening Examiner columns.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
.jpg)
